SATURDAY 21TH FEBRUARY 2021

Shell Rattled by Restrictions on Bank Accounts, Moves to Vacate Order Aiteo seeks $4 billion for 16 million barrels of crude allegedly diverted Festus Akanbi There are strong indications that last Tuesday’s injunction of a Federal High Court, Lagos, barring Royal Dutch Shell’s Nigerian subsidiary

from withdrawing money at 20 local banks until it ringfences potential damages in a lawsuit brought against the oil major by Aiteo Eastern E&P is already rattling the oil firm.

The interim Mareva

injunction is aimed at recovering the cash value of more than 16 million barrels of crude allegedly diverted by the oil giant from the indigenous oil company, AITEO. However, SPDC is said to

have mandated its lawyers to work round the clock in order to get the injunction vacated when the court proceeding resumes next Wednesday.

Although a source from SPDC clarified yesterday

that 15 out of the 20 banks so identified had since declared that their names were listed in error, since they were not holding any account of the SPDC, it was gathered that the freezing of the oil firm’s

account in the other five banks is already threatening its operations.

According to the source, “there is no way such Continued on page 5

Imo to Try IPOB Members for Alleged Murder of Citizens in Orlu… Page 6 Saturday 20 February, 2021 Vol 25. No 9449

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Bauchi Gov to Akeredolu: Herders Don’t Need Your Consent to Reside in Forests Says lands in Nigeria belong to state and federal governments Don’t turn security challenges into ethnic, tribal, religious crisis, Tinubu begs Nigerians

Charles Ajunwa and Bennett Oghifo in Lagos, Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, yesterday said

citizens do not need the permission of his Ondo State counterpart, Rotimi Akeredolu, to live in the forests in the South-west state.

The Bauchi governor,

who spoke on a television programme, was apparently referring to herdsmen accused of sundry crimes such as kidnappings, killings, rape, amongst others, by Akeredolu,

and ordered to vacate the state’s forest reserves The Bauchi governor added that Nigerians do not need the consent of any governor to reside anywhere in the country.

Akeredolu’s quit notice generated outrage with the Presidency and some governors, including Mohammed, saying the governor lacked the right

to issue a vacation notice to herders in the state.

Yesterday, Governor Mohammed said: “Land is Continued on page 5

Governor Rejects N500m Ransom Demand as Bandits Cling to Kagara Schoolboys Sheikh Gumi meets with outlaws in Dutsen-Magaji forest, demands amnesty for them Laleye Dipo in Minna Hope was initially raised yesterday on freedom for the abducted 27 students and 15 others at Government Science College, Kagara, Niger State, but later dashed, with the bandits insisting on N500 million ransom before releasing the abductees and other people kidnaped in NSTA bus earlier in the week.

The bandits attacked the school last Wednesday, killing one of the students in the process.

The Secretary to the Government of Niger State (SSG), Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, who is in the team negotiating with the bandits, said the bandits are also demanding for the release of their men being held by security agencies.

Security agents, who have been able to identify where the abductees are being kept, and Governor Abubakar Sani Bello had mounted pressure on the bandits for most of yesterday, but they refused to yield.

Kaduna-based cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi joined the drive to free the abductees on Thursday when he, in company with some government officials, met the bandits in the forest, but could not secure their freedom because of the ransom issue.

Governor Bello insisted that he would not pay ransom to bandits, and that the abductees must be freed unconditionally.

He said his stand was informed by the realisation Continued on page 5

Hijab Protest: Kwara Govt Orders Closure of 10 Schools... Page 8

ALL FOR JAKANDE...

L-R: Former governor of Lagos State and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State and Alhaja Abimbola, widow of former Lagos State governor, Alhaji Lateef Jakande; at the 8th Day Fidua prayer for Jakande at his residence in Ilupeju, Lagos…yesterday sunday adigun

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T H I S D AY, T H E S AT U R D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ ˜ ͺ͸˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹

PAGE FIVE SHELL RATTLED BY RESTRICTIONS ON BANK ACCOUNTS, MOVES TO VACATE ORDER restraining order will not affect the company’s activities. It is bound to affect its activities because bills have to be paid and such hold on the company’s account would affect its commitment to its business partners.”

Consequently, SPDC’s lawyers are said to be working round the clock to ensure the injunction is vacated on Wednesday in order to bring about a smooth running of the company.

Although the spokesperson for SPDC, Mr. Bamidele Odugbesan, said the company was working to secure an expeditious discharge of the freezing injunction which it alleged was obtained by

Aiteo without any valid basis, however, he did not disclose how the company would do so.

Court documents seen by Reuters show that Aiteo is seeking compensation over what it said was the poor condition of the pipeline and associated lost oil sales.

Aiteo is seeking about $4 billion in total over alleged problems with the Nembe Creek Trunk Line (NCTL) pipeline it bought from the Anglo-Dutch group in 2015 and over claims Shell undercounted its oil exports.

Aiteo also accuses Shell of deliberate improper metering of the Nigerian company’s oil exports from the Bonny

Light terminal. It is seeking $2.7 billion over the pipeline deal plus $1.28 billion for lost oil sales, the court documents show.

Odugbesan said the allegations are “factually incorrect”.

Aiteo declined to comment on an ongoing legal case.

A statement by the SPDC spokesperson explained: “The claims underpinning the interim freeze order obtained by the plaintiff, Aiteo Eastern E&P Company Limited, relate to the sale of the interests of SPDC and two other SPDC JV partners in the Nembe Creek Trunk Line (NCTL) and OML 29 to Aiteo in 2015; and crude reallocation

programme between injectors into the SPDC JV’s Trans Niger Pipeline and injectors into the Aiteo NCTL which is a normal industry practice.

“The crude theft/diversion allegation is also factually incorrect. This is a distinct issue that relates to the directive by the Department of Petroleum Resources to SPDC as operator of the Bonny Oil and Gas Terminal, an asset belonging to the SPDC Joint Venture, to implement a crude re-allocation programme between injectors into the SPDC JV’s Trans Niger Pipeline and injectors into the NCTL.” Justice Oluremi Oguntoyibo, while giving the interim Mareva injunction, directed

the banks where the Shell companies operate accounts in Nigeria to “ring-fence any cash, bonds, deposits, all forms of negotiable instruments to the value of $2.7 billion and pay all standing credits to the Shell companies up to the value into an interest yielding account in the name of the Chief Registrar of the court, who is to hold the funds in trust” pending the hearing of the motion and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction filed before it by AITEO. AITEO, alongside some other indigenous oil producers, have had a protracted dispute with Shell alleging that the company shortchanges

them using the unapproved methodology to calculate the volume of crude it lifts on their behalf from the terminal.

They jointly allege that Shell deploys underhand practices including using unapproved meters to facilitate crude theft.

Following an investigation into the dispute by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Shell in a letter to the agency, admitted that it had indeed installed unapproved metering systems and agreed to refund more than two million barrels of crude it had illegally taken from the producers (Belema Oil, AITEO, Eroton and NewCross) between 2016 and 2018.

BAUCHI GOV TO AKEREDOLU: HERDERS DON’T NEED YOUR CONSENT TO RESIDE IN FORESTS in the hands of the state and federal governments in trust, but Nigerians don’t need the permission of governors or the federal government to settle anywhere. You don’t need the permission of the governor of Bauchi or the governor of Ondo to be in the forests of Ondo if you choose to live in the forests, because under Section 41 of the constitution, you are free to settle anywhere.”

The Ondo State governor had also criticized Mohammed for saying herders have the right to bear AK-47 rifle for self-protection.

But the Bauchi State governor said: “When we mention AK-47, it is a figure of speech; the issue is protection, self-help. You must protect yourself. It is a figure of speech to show you the despondence, the desperation and frustration, and the agony that this particular person is exposed to by his own people, by his own tribe, and by other tribes who have all seen him as a criminal and therefore, he has the inalienable right to protect himself.

“The Fulani man is so exposed, dehumanised and demonised. He is being seen as a bandit and so anywhere he goes, his commonwealth which I call his cows are being taken and rustled and sometimes they are fined beyond your imagination and then he has no option than to protect himself.

“It may not be an illegal carriage, it may be legal. He may also register and carry it to protect himself. They have no

option but to protect themselves.

The issue is self-protection.

There must be some sort of approval. What I am saying is not to legalise the carriage of AK-47. I must be understood.

“Nigerians must stop profiling Fulani herdsmen as criminals because of the nature of their job. We also have so many vigilante groups in Nigeria, even at the different levels of government, sub-regional groups and sub-national.”

Tinubu: We Must Not Turn Security Challenges into Ethnic, Tribal, Religious Crisis Former Lagos governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, yesterday urged Nigerians not to turn the present security challenges across the country into ethnic, tribal or religious crisis.

He said anyone who had experienced ethnic confrontation or religious war before would not pray for one in Nigeria.

It was his initial comment on the spate of banditry, insurgency and other aspects of insecurity presently plaguing the country.

Asiwaju Tinubu spoke at the eight-day Fidau prayers for the late civilian governor of the state, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, held in the late statesman’s house in Ilupeju Lagos.

Speaking extempore at the event attended by, among others, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu, Governor Kayode

Fayemi of Ekiti, former Zamfara State governor Sani Yerima and former Ogun State governor Segun Osoba, Tinubu said: “Nigeria is currently facing crises, crisis of insurgency, of banditry and all aspects of insecurity. But God Almighty who made this country one of the largest and most resourceful countries will guide and protect us.

“In memory of Baba Jakande, I appeal today to all of us not to turn whatever challenges we are facing right now to ethnic, tribal and religious crisis.

“Only God Almighty will judge our faith, only Him is perfect. We usually beseech Allah to direct us on the right path. However, it’s left for us, left for me, left for you, left for the Ulamas to do the right thing.

“The Ulamas, you are very critical in the present situation.

In your prayers, commitments, Uthubas, etc, all your sermons must be geared towards peace, tolerance, stability and togetherness.

“If there is war in Nigeria, it will submerge the entire West Africa and there won’t be enough space to accommodate us as refugees. Those who have seen the effects of war, the consequences of tribal conflict, of religious conflict will never want it for Nigeria.

“We pray to God Almighty to direct our minds, guide our faith, put peace in our minds and bring peace unto this our land. May Almighty Allah bless all of us. Amin.”

Speaking on the late Pa Jakande, Tinubu said: "To our father, who has gone to answer the call of the Almighty, we pray that God will forgive all his sins and accept him into Aljanna Fridaus.

“This demise is not Pa Jakande’s loss, it’s our loss. We cannot be alive forever. There is always a day we would depart and render accounts of our deeds to Allah. Today is the 8th day and we are all assembled to pray for Alhaji Lateef Jakande.

“I’m a lucky one; this is the house where I began my political journey in life. Baba Jakande said go on, contest for Senate, we need many like you in politics. The rest is history.

“To our junior brothers and sisters, may God bless you and set you on the right path to success. Jakande has many children, not just you alone.

We are many. We truly are his children.

“Today, he is no more, but he is still living, and will live till eternity. Today, we pray for Lagos State, for Nigeria that God gives us more leaders that are prudent and very honest like him. Leaders who will give priority to the future; who will look at what would become of the future of our children.

“He converted three sets of school classes to one without leaving anyone behind. He created many hospitals. He is the most progressive individual that we ever had. He was a progressive to the core.

All of us in Lagos, we

have been extremely lucky to draw from the fountain of his knowledge and wisdom.

"There is no way we can beat his record. He is already a martyr. To all of us, I will say, let our character, our vision drive our mission."

South-west Security Stakeholders Vow to Defend Yorubaland against Killer Herders A group of security outfits, operating under the umbrella of South-West Security Stakeholders, has advised Obas and traditional leaders of Yorubaland to call upon them whenever there was threat to the life of any Yorubaman.

The varous security outfits in this stakeholder group are: Odua Peoples Congress, Agbekoya, Hunters Group, Isokan Ile Yoruba, Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Ibarapa Group, and Community Society Awareness Initiative.

Their leaders made the call to the Yoruba elders in a communiqué they issued at the end of a strategic meeting held in Lagos yesterday, stating that they “noted the exasperation inherent in the statement of Chief of Defence Staff of the nation calling on Nigerians to defend themselves. This is clearly an official endorsement of self-defence.”

The leaders said they reached this decision after a review of recent security concerns in the

nation generally and Oodua land in particular, adding that they shared the concern of the people in general and of prominent Nigerians, especially about the security situation in the land.

According to them, “The meeting feared the situation if not addressed signals a grievous national crisis. The meeting, therefore, called on the government to quickly arrest the apparent descent into anarchy.”

Also present at the meeting were: a leader of Afenifere, Mr Yinka Odumakin, Gbonka Gboyega Adejumo, Bashorun Akin Osuntokun, Sola Lawal, and Chief Olumuyiwa Okunowo.

The communiqué stated: “The meeting re-emphasised the call for a return to pure federalism, which was the political arrangement endorsed by leaders of the nation at independence. This will allow various nations in the country to take proper control of their affairs including security.

“We align with the call of the governors of South-west that President Buhari should prove his innocence in the carnage being perpetrated by herders by not only unambiguously condemning the nefarious acts but also take clear steps to exterminate it.

“The meeting stressed the point that multinational states such as Nigeria must be built on respect for different human components making up the sovereign nation.”

GOVERNOR RE JECTS N500M RANSOM DEMAND AS BANDITS CLING TO KAGARA SCHOOLBOYS that ransoms collected were being used to purchase more arms and ammunitions which they in turn use to terrorise the people.

The governor said he was ready to resettle the bandits and help them live normal lives once they laid down their arms.

Governor Bello addressed the press in Minna yesterday afternoon, and confirmed that the abductees had not been released but said, "They could be released in a matter of hours or days."

“At the moment, there is no additional information apart from the one we have at hand.

Our priority is to make sure we bring back the students safe, things are speculated or rumoured, but we cannot work with these at situations like this,” he said.

The governor noted that the state was using kinetic and non-kinetic measures to bring back the children to safety and assured parents and families of the victims to be hopeful as everything possible was being done.

Meanwhile, it has now been confirmed that the kidnapped Kagara students and others, as well as those abducted from the NSTA bus are being held hostage at the Dutsen-Magaji forest in the

Rafi Local Government Area of the state.

The forest was the venue of the meeting Sheikh Gumi and some government officials held on Thursday with the heavily armed bandits, led by someone identified as Dogo Gide.

Gumi reminded the bandits that Islam was against taking the lives of innocent people, appealing to them to embrace peace by laying down their arms.

He said that he would continue to discuss with the state government to explore whatever assistance and support the government would give to them with a view to achieving the set objectives.

Some of the commanders, in their separate remarks, applauded the state government for the peace process.

The highlight of the occasion was the distribution of Islamic Books to the Bandits by Sheikh Ahmed Gumi so as to teach them the doctrine of Islam.

The Niger State SSG, who was in the Gumi team, also addressed the bandits and their commanders in Dutsen Magaji forest, urging them to embrace peace dialogue being initiated by the government.

He said the peace dialogue would bring an end to the

security challenges faced by the state.

Matane further appealed to the bandit commanders to support the government’s effort in securing the release of all the abducted people in the state.

He said that religious leaders and other stakeholders would be included in the engagement of bandits, kidnappers, and cattle rustlers in peace moves initiated by the government.

Later, Governor Bello confirmed that he had discussions with Sheikh Gumi after the cleric met with the bandits, adding that he asked him to put all his suggestions and recommendations in a memo and send back to him when he arrived Kaduna.

The meeting between the duo yesterday was brief and Gunmi was said to have told the governor the outcome of his dialogue with the leader of the bandits whose name has now been given as Dogo Gide.

In a brief chat with newsmen after the meeting with the Governor, Gumi confirmed that negotiation was still ongoing with the bandits, adding that government should grant all the bandits amnesty as done for the Niger Delta militants.

The cleric, who had claimed that bandits learnt kidnapping

from Niger Delta militants, said anyone who goes ahead with criminal activities after amnesty has been granted should be dealt with.

“The outcome of the meeting was very positive because you have a warring faction saying that they have complaints and grievances which are very simple. There is hope that we can resolve this,” Gumi said.

Leader of Bandits Pledges to Release Abductees Meanwhile, the Zamfara bandits’ leader, Dogo Gide, who controls the southern part of the Zamfara forest, has assured that the kidnapped teachers and students of Government Science College Kagara in Niger State would soon be released.

Dogo Gide made the promise when he met with the officials of the Niger State Government under the intervention of Sheikh Gumi in Dutsin Magaji of Kotonkoro forest, in Zamfara State.

Gide said although the abductees are not in his camp, he would negotiate with his fellow bandits to hasten their release.

“The abducted persons,

whether they were kidnapped by bandits in Zamfara State or any other neighbouring states of Niger, Kebbi and Kaduna will be released soon,” he said.

He explained that Fulanis had been left with no option than to carry arms and also engage in banditry because of the pressure they face from all angles.

He specifically mentioned the persistent attacks and killings of the Fulani by vigilante groups and Yansakai followed by the bombardments of their camps by the military.

Gide, however, assured that with the intervention of Sheikh Gumi they would ensure the release of the abducted persons.

He also promised to accept the peace process being preached by Sheikh Gumi provided that the governors were really serious on the issue.

Rafi LGA Attacked Again Despite heavy security presence in Rafi LGA of Niger State, the bandits struck again yesterday afternoon, launching separate attacks in Madaka community, during which one person was killed.

A local vigilante member said several persons were abducted during the attacks.

The community is in the same LGA as Kagara where 42 people, mostly children, were taken hostage by bandits who attacked Government Science College (GSC) on Wednesday.

It is also where the bandits were said to have first camped before proceeding to the school. The fresh attack took place at about 2 pm when the bandits waylaid villagers going for a marriage ceremony along Madak-Kagara road.

The bandits ambushed another set of people returning from Madaka market.

Yunusa Acha, a resident, said one of the escapees informed them of the development.

He said: “The villagers went to Madaka market and on their way back, those bandits attacked them along the road and kidnapped them. Nobody knows the actual figure.

“Then, there was another attack like one hour after, against some people carrying their bride to a marriage ceremony along that same route. They were in a bus and the bandits took all of them. We heard that one person was killed.”

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺ͸, 2021

ÏáÝ ÎÓÞÙÜ Ahamefula Ogbu 08116759810 (Ý×Ý ÙØÖã̚ ×ËÓÖ ahamefula.ogbu@thisdaylive.com

Imo to Try IPOB Members for Murder of Citizens in Orlu Bennett Oghifo

The Imo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Cyprian Akaolisa, has said that the government invited the military to Orlu to flush out members of the Eastern Security Network linked with the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra.

Akaolisa, who informed journalists of this development in Owerri yesterday, said the government would try the ESN members for alleged murder of innocent citizens.

He said, “The Imo State Government invited the military to flush out the hoodlums who call themselves ESN in Orlu,” stating that they have allegedly looted arms and ammunition and killed a large number of people since 2020, particularly during the EndSARS riots.

He blamed the leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu for the ongoing crisis in the Orlu axis, stating that the military would not leave until peace was restored to the area, and commended

the federal government for sending the troops.

The Attorney General also

accused a former governor of the state, Chief Rochas Okorocha of insensitivity for

not commiserating with the families of people allegedly killed by members of ESN

as he did when a traditional ruler was allegedly harassed by a policeman.

Ekweremadu: Decentralised Policing Will Solve Nation’s Security Challenges Deji Elumoye ËØÎ Udora Orizu ÓØ ÌßÔË

Former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu has stressed that decentralised policing remained the way out of the mounting security challenges facing the country.

He also noted that with the requisite political will, Nigeria could successfully amend the 1999 Constitution in 10 days to the needed legal framework for state police.

Ekweremadu, who is also the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Committee on Electoral Act and Constitutional Amendment stated this during the inauguration of the PDP Committee on Electoral Act and Constitution Amendment in Abuja.

He regretted that the security of lives and property had totally collapsed, hence the need for urgent steps to pull the nation back from the brinks.

While listing successful electoral reforms and constitution amendments recorded under successive PDP administrations, he enjoined the All Progressives Congress-led administration to take the bull by the horns by building on those successful efforts He said, ‘’The weaknesses in our structure and the Constitution we operate have never been as pronounced as they are today. I must also add that it is unfortunate that the rain, which some of us shouted on top of our voices, forewarning the nation against and even proposed policies and sponsored Bills to avert, is now beating us heavily.

“I rallied my colleagues and together we sponsored the Bill for the Creation of State Police in the 8th National Assembly. I am equally sponsoring a Bill for the Creation of State Police in the current Senate. Unfortunately, we do not appear ready yet or show a sense of urgency to stem the tide of insecurity or

rebuild our economy through the decentralisation or devolution of power. With the right political will, the amendments to the Constitution to achieve a decentralised police and secure lives and property can be achieved 10 days. ‘’So long as we run a dysfunctional centralised policing, for that long will our insecurity-induced pains and losses continue to rise.

The community policing initiative is illusory, cosmetic, ephemeral, inorganic, and will certainly not change anything.’’

On electoral reforms, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment also enjoined his colleagues, political leaders and Nigerians to support the move to amend the Electoral Act to allow early primaries and electronic transmission of results. ‘’The election management body still works under acute pressure in preparing and managing our elections. They still get court orders and counter orders even on the eve of elections as politicians squabble for their parties’ tickets.

“Therefore, the Joint National Assembly Committee on INEC has agreed to recommend to our colleagues an amendment allowing INEC to call for nominations at least 360 days to the election and submission of list of candidates by political parties not later than six months to the election. ‘’It means that if passed by the National Assembly and signed by Mr. President, INEC will call for nominations for the 2023 general election

by February 2022, while the political parties will have up to July 2022 to conclude their primaries and submit their lists of their candidates. That way, INEC will have ample time to prepare for the elections and avoid the usual mix-ups, while political parties will also have sufficient time to deal with issues and litigations arising from party primaries,’’ he said.

COVID-19: 662 New Cases Recorded

Nigeria recorded 662 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday, taking the number of confirmed cases to 150,908 with 127,500 discharged and 1813 deaths.

GOOD TO SEE YOU… L-R: Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State and the newly appointed Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 13, Dunukofia, Anambra State, AIG Mohammed Hafiz, when he paid a maiden courtesy visit to the governor, at the Government House, Enugu, yesterday.

Nigeria’s Dependence on Oil Revenue May End in 10 Years, Says Awolowo Deji Elumoye ÓØ ÌßÔË

There are indications that the nation’s sole dependence on crude oil revenue may end in the next 10 years if the current efforts being made by government to improve Nigeria’s non-oil exports can be sustained.

The Executive Director/ CEO of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr. Segun Awolowo, made this known yesterday while briefing reporters after a closeddoor meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House in Abuja According to him, within the next decade, Nigeria can get $30 billion in terms of non-oil export despite the effect of the current COVID-19 pandemic on the nation’s economy.

He added: “But more importantly, we must just continue, we must increase production and productivity

all across the two sectors that the zero oil plan is postulating for the country and then we get out of it.

“We cannot run an economy that 90 per cent of our earnings are from crude oil. It is just not working and that is what we are seeing throughout the years when we went into first recession when the world oil prices stood worldwide.”

While emphasising on the changing world dynamics, Awolowo declared: “We need to move again from just raw materials, we need to look at the entire value chain and that is where you create jobs and that is where you earn more money.

“So 10 years’ time-frame we are looking at to get to $30 billion but we must be consistent, we must invest more in the non-oil sector than looking for oil.”

The NEPC boss recalled that the non-oil exports sector was experiencing challenges, espe-

cially with the basic incentive, the Export Expansion Grant (EEG) being suspended, with over N350 billion in unpaid EEG claims adding that the situation had dire effects on exporters with some shut down plants while some laid off people thereby increasing the number of unemployed population.

Commenting on the implementation of the Zero Oil Plan, Awolowo stressed that it had received enormous support and buy-in even as it is integrated in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, adding that the National Economic Council had set up a National Committee on Exports to drive it.

He further said: “The entire world is now raising a lot of concerns about the longterm devastating impacts of oil and focusing on climate change. The unpredictability on oil prices will not stop. First

2008, oil price crashed due to global financial crises; then in 2014 oil price crashed due to shale over production; then in 2020, oil price crashed due to COVID. “We have seen a return to a positive GDP growth in last quarter of 2020. We have now seen strong recoveries in Agriculture (growth of 3.4%) and Services, and those sectors put a lid on 2020 declines. We have achieved a lot, but we continue to get requests from all the states for Export programmes. And these initiatives touch the grassroots, women, youths, creates hundreds of thousands of jobs.”

Awolowo listed the improvements achieved in non-oil export products and jobs created across the country, saying “Even for what we are doing there now on this, we need to scale it up, and take it to more States, it is projects like these that we need to truly become an ‘Export Nation’

COVID-19: Ondo Restricts Attendance at Akeredolu’s Inauguration Ceremony James Sowole ÓØ ÕßÜÏ

The Ondo State Government yesterday said attendance at programmes for the inauguration ceremony of Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s second term in office would be restricted to maximum of 500 guests.

The Chairman of the 25-man Inauguration Committee and Deputy Governor-elect, Mr. Lucky Ayedatiwa, stated this while briefing journalists on the activities lined up for the ceremony that would commence on Tuesday, February 22,2021.

The Deputy Governor-elect, said the restriction for the events was due to the ravaging

COVID-19 Pandemic.

Ayedatiwa, who was flanked by the former Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Donald Ojogo who is the Chairman of the Media Sub Committee of the ceremony, said all the programmes, would be indoor.

The inauguration programmes, according to him, would be held inside the State International Events Centre, The Dome while the Jumat Prayer would be held at Central Mosque Owo and the Church Thanksgiving Service, would be held at St. Andrews Anglican Church, Imola Owo. Specifically, Ayedatiwa

emphasised that attendance at all events, would be strictly by invitation.

He explained that those that would attend the proper inauguration ceremony, on Wednesday, February 23, at the International Event Centre, Akure, the state capital would not be more than 500 while 400 people would be allowed to attend the dinner coming up in the evening of the inauguration day.

He said, “It is important to stress that attendance at every function will be strictly by invitation.

This is in order to control the crowd and reduce the risks

associated with COVID -19. In other words, the venues will be a no-go area for individuals without official invitation cards.

“For more emphasis, the Dome which sits full capacity of 1,800 guests will now sit 500 for the inauguration while it will accommodate only 400 for the state dinner later in the evening,” Ayedatiwa said.

A major event of the inauguration ceremony, is the inauguration lecture entitled ‘Towards a New Nigeria from Federal Fatherism to Commonwealth’ to be delivered by the President of African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, which comes up on Tuesday, February 22.

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NEWS Kwara Orders Closure of 10 Schools over Hijab Protest Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

COURTESY CALL …

L to R: Former Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo, former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, former Gov. Liyel Imoke; former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar; former Gov. Ibrahim Shema; former House Minority Leader, Hon. Mulikat Akande; and Secretary of the PDP Reconciliation and Strategy Committee, Hon. Linus Okere at the courtesy visit of the Committee to Abdulsalami in Niger State.

NCDC Begins Genomic Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 Onyebuchi Ezigbo ÓØ ÌßÔË

Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) yesterday said that in response to public health concern over the detection of new variants of COVID-19, the severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), it has commenced work on the sequencing the virus in Nigeria.

The agency said that in the short term, a random selection of viruses would be collected and sent to the Nigeria Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) and the Africa Centre for Excellence in Genomics (ACEGID) for sequencing weekly.

A statement issued yesterday, by the Director General of the NCDC,

Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, said an implementation group for SARSCoV-2 sequencing in Nigeria had been constituted to pull together a coordinated response to drive genomic surveillance for SARSCoV-2 in Nigeria.

He disclosed that it would be coordinated by the NCDC National Reference Laboratory.

Ihekweazu said the objective of the group was to: ensure a coordinated response to identify variants of concern in Nigeria and to provide a platform for sharing of specimens and access to sequence information.

He said the goal of the research was agreed on

standardised practice for the analysis of genomic data and further “provide a platform to study the impact of variants of concern on transmission, disease severity, vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics.”

He added that this would ensure strong communications to maintain public confidence According to NCDC, scientists use a process of genomic surveillance to monitor how viruses change, including SARS-CoV-2.

It explained that Genomic surveillance required the viral genetic code of viruses to be sequenced.

Also the agency said that

scientists study how these changes affect the characteristics of the virus and use this information to predict how new variants might impact health.

In December 2020, the world’s attention was drawn to a new variant, B 1.1.7, first discovered in the UK that was shown to be more transmissible. This B 1.1.7 variant is now the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant circulating in the UK and has been documented in most countries that are implementing genomic surveillance.

While seeking to douse public anxiety over reports of prevalence of the new variant-B117 in Nigeria, Ihekweazu said the issue was not yet a threat.

Kwara State Government yesterday ordered the closure of 10 secondary schools in Ilorin, the state capital following the protest that greeted the alleged refusal of their school authorities to allow female muslims students to use Hijab to cover their heads in their schools.

The affected schools closed by the government are C&S College Sabo Oke, St. Anthony College, Offa Road, ECWA School, Oja Iya, Surulere Baptist Secondary School and Bishop Smith Secondary School, Agba Dam. Others include, CAC Secondary School Asa Dam, St. Barnabas Secondary School Sabo Oke, St. John School Maraba, and St. Williams Secondary School Taiwo Isale, St. James Secondary School Maraba, all in Ilorin, the state capital.

The Muslims stakeholders in the state at a press conference in Ilorin on Tuesday appealed to the state government to prevail on former owners of public schools in the state to allow female Muslim students wear hijab.

The spokesman of the group, Alhaji Ishaq Abdulkareem said that , since the state government had taken over such schools, the former missionary owners no longer had control over the grant - aided schools in the state.

Speaking at a press conference in Ilorin yesterday, the spokesperson of the group, Alhaji Isiaq Abdulkareem said that, allowing Muslim female students to wear hijab would be in conformity with

the judgment of the Kwara State High Court of 2016 and that of the Court of Appeal of 2019.

The development however prompted the state Governor, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, to call a peace meeting with the religious leaders on Thursday so as to resolve the issue.

Governor AbdulRazaq was represented by his deputy, Mr. Lekan Alabi The meeting which included both Muslim and Christian leaders would allow them to take positions and offering opinions on how to resolve the differences on the Hijab question in grant-aided schools.

The government however set up committee to look into the Hijab controversy in some schools in the state.

The government therefore stressed the need for every side to keep the peace and constantly caution members of their communities to avoid any action or comments that may disturb public ace.

However, yesterday, hundreds of female students who put Hijab on their heads were turned back to their various homes.

The development however led to peaceful protest in Ilorin as parents and guardians of the affected female students kicked against the turning back of their female children in their schools by their school’s Principals.

In order to avoid what may likely lead to religious crisis in the state, the state government consequently closed ten schools where the protest of Muslim female students happened.

NAHCON Replies Auditor General’s Query on N79.5 million Pre-Hajj 2017 Estacodes

Youths to Organise Protest Match Against Okorocha

Olawale Ajimotokan ÓØ ÌßÔË

Amby Uneze ÓØ áÏÜÜÓ

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has replied to a query by the Office of Auditor General of the Federation on the N79.5 million allegedly buried under the fictitious estacode for the first pre–Hajj mission to Saudi Arabia in 2017.

The Head, Public Affairs NAHCON, Fatima Sanda Usara, said in a statement yesterday

that the response to the Auditor General followed a report by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), which indicted officers of 10 MDAs, including NAHCON for allegedly spending N3.7 billion collectively on “fictitious estacode”.

The report alleged NAHCON paid the estacode to its top staff and families.

The Commission insisted that

FG Engages EFCC, ICPC to Checkmate Fraud in Investment Programmes Francis Sardauna ÓØ ËÞÝÓØË

The federal government has announced the engagement of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to checkmate any fraud in its ongoing Social Investment Programmes across the country.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, revealed this to journalists yesterday in Katsina during the training of 117 independent monitors at the state Local Government Service Commission.

The minister, represented by the Assistant Director, ICT in the ministry, Mr. Aminu Tukur, said any beneficiary of the social

there was nothing fictitious about the estacode nor about the visit by its delegation that attended the first pre-Hajj visit held in December 2017.

The delegation, which was led by the former Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Hon. Khadija Abba Ibrahim, had in attendance representatives from the Ministry, the National Assembly, officers from the Office of the Secretary to the

Anambra 2021: APGA N’Assembly Caucus Backs Soludo for Governor David-Chyddy Eleke ÓØ áÕË

intervention programmes found violating the rules of engagement would be handed over to the anti-craft agencies for investigation and prosecution.

She said: “Please be informed that the ministry will not hesitate to take you off the programme if you are found violating the terms of your engagement.

“We are also working with security agencies like DSS, EFCC and ICPC to monitor these programmes. If you are found engaging in any form of malpractice or fraud, you will be handed over to them for investigation and prosecution.”

She explained that the 117 independent monitors were engaged by her ministry to assess the implementation of different federal government’s programmes been carried out through the ministry in Katsina State.

Government of the Federation (OSGF), the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), NAHCON executives and some of its essential staff.

NAHCON said its contingent comprised members drawn from sister agencies with oversight functions to guide management in decision-making that would serve the best interest of the Nigerian pilgrims before committing its signature to the agreement.

Members of the National Assembly from Anambra State on the platform of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) have resolved to support former Central Bank Governor, Prof.

Chukwuma Soludo, to clinch the ticket of the party for the November governorship poll.

This was revealed yesterday during a meeting of the caucus with the state executive committee of the party, when the former Central Bank chief visited the state party secretariat in Awka, the state capital to notify them of his intention to run for the governorship position.

Representatives of the APGA National Assembly Caucus, Hon. Chinedu Obidigwe and Hon. Dozie Nwankwo who both represent Anambra East/ Anambra West and Anaocha,

Njikoka, Dunukofia federal constituencies respectively revealed this while addressing the state executive of the party.

Obidigwe said, “In 2013, Soludo was disqualified by the party as an aspirant of APGA, and he took it in good faith. He was not among the aggrieved aspirants who decided to play a spoiler game for the party.

“We have been begging Soludo to run, and today he has accepted to run.All members of the National Assembly caucus fromAPGAhave resolved that we will support him. Just one or two persons are disagreeing with this, but you know that majority carries the vote.

Soludo has remained consistent in theparty.In2017whenGovernorWillieObianowasrunningforre-election, it was this same Soludo that insisted that Anambra (under Obiano) was not broken, so there was no reason to mend it.

The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), the umbrella body of all the youth organisations in the South-east geopolitical zone has concluded arrangement to mobilise one million of its members to lawfully occupy the streets Owerri, capital of Imo State to demand for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the former governor of the state, Senator Rochas Okorocha, for alleged criminal conversion of the Eastern Palm University (EPU) Ogboko which was solely built with the state funds to his personal property.

In a press release jointly signed by Comrade Goodluck Ibem and Janice Igwe, President General and Secretary General respectively, charged the Imo State governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma to urgently order for the arrest and prosecution of Okorocha for allegedly enriching himself with state money while he served as governor.

“This kind of fraud is too alarming to be swept under the carpet. Okorocha took the good people of Imo State for granted by converting the peoples patrimony to his private property and he must be punished for such act of corruption.

“We call on Governor Hope Uzodinma to immediately expedite action on this EPU matter so that the law can take its full course.

“The Eastern Palm University,

EPU, is just a tip of the iceberg of massive corruption perpetrated

by Okorocha during his tenure as governor from 2011 to 2019.

Okorocha’s time to account for his stewardship to the people is now.

“We urge the state government to beam it’s searchlight on the so called Ministry of Enjoyment and Entertainment, other parastatals and Agencies which he used to siphon the state resources for his personal use. The law is no respecter of persons and Okorocha must face the music of his gross abuse of office when he held sway as governor.

“We call on all our youths, men and women of goodwill to come out enmasse for a protest on Wednesday, 24 March, 2021 in Owerri to demand for the immediate prosecution of Rochas Okorocha over the unlawful convertion of Eastern Palm University, EPU, to his private property and for his gross abuse of office and massive corruption perpetrated during his tenure,” the group stated.

The youths organisation, however, commended Governor Uzodinma for his zero tolerance for corruption and “we urge him never to relent in his determination to ensure that Imo State is on the part of development and progress.

“We therefore urge all and sundry to support and rally round Governor Uzodinma as he takes the state to greater heights,” they said.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺ͸ , 2021

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08054699539

Fulani Militias, Ethnic Profiling and Raging Killings

I

n the last few days, I have been having cerebral discussions with some of my readers with Fulani background who accuse the press and some other Nigerians of ethnic profiling whenever they refer to killer herders/militias terrorizing the entire country as Fulanis. I have a lot of such Fulani friends; good and law-abiding people. One of them, Abdulkadir Saleh, roared last Tuesday: “Yemi, stop referring to these militias as Fulanis. Criminals are criminals; you don’t have to call them Fulanis to report their atrocities.” I have done a lot of checks on the meaning of “ethnic profiling.” The one I found compelling says, “Ethnic profiling is the act of suspecting or targeting a person on the basis of assumed characteristics or behaviour of a racial or ethnic group, rather than on individual suspicion.”

This definition appropriately clears the grey areas. The Nigerian press and the rest of the country do not view the entire Fulani race as criminals. Targeting anybody as a criminal on the basis of the assumed characteristics of the ethnic group does not arise. During the visit of Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, militias dominant in the North openly confirmed that they are Fulanis and the much-talked about bandits ravaging the entire country. They complained that their cattle are persistently rustled without compensation from government, and so, they took up arms.

They are the Fulani militias who claim to be fighting for the interest of herders, but engage in all sorts of criminalities, including kidnapping for ransom, robbery, and killing of innocent Nigerians. Calling them Fulani militias/killer herders/Fulani kidnappers is a fact but it does not make all Fulanis criminals. It does not in any way amount to ethnic profiling based on the definition above.

Down South, security agencies empirically prove and are regularly showing the public that majority of attacks on farmers and kidnapping for ransom are carried out by people with Fulani background. The facts and figures are conspicuous.

When the police in Ondo State nabbed the killers of Funke Olakunrin, the second daughter of Afenifere leader, Reuben Fasoranti, they turned out to be Fulani herdsmen - Lawal Mazaje, Adamu Adamu, Mohammed Shehu Usman and Auwal Abubakar. The police established sufficient physical and forensic evidence linking the suspects to the killing of Mrs Olakunrin. The survivor gave a clear description of the roles each of the identified suspects played in the killing. At this point, the suspects capitulated and voluntarily offered a no-holds-barred confession.

When police arrested killers of some natives in Nimbo community, Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State, they were people with Fulani background - Mohammed Zurai, Ciroma Musa, Sale Adamu, Suleiman Laute and Haruna Laute.

The police who picked up the suspects that abducted the former secretary to the government of the federation, Olu Falae, told the nation that “six suspected Fulani herdsmen” did the job.

Last Monday, when the Oyo State Police Command paraded three of the suspected killers of businessman/farmer, Dr. Oluwole Agboola,

Attahiru

they turned out to be Fulanis - Dahiru Usman, Muhammed Ahmadu, and Ibrahim Mamuda.

They openly confirmed they are Fulanis. Dressed in military camouflage, six of them abducted the University of Ibadan graduate on his piggery/fish farm located at Adegbade village via Aba-odo in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo on December 28, last year. His remains were recovered from the bush on January 11, ten days after ransom was paid by the family.

In a recent response to violent attacks across Nigeria, the Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu said that many herdsmen are undergoing trials in several parts of the country for alleged killings and criminal activities. Garba, who spoke on a television programme last Monday, added: “I hope the headquarters of the police will take responsibility and publish the full list of Fulani herders who are undergoing trials in various states particularly in Benue State. Trials are going on, convictions have been made and the president cannot be complicit. It is very uncharitable. The president cannot be complicit in the kinds of things being said of him.” Note that Garba used “Fulani herders.”

Also in a presentation at a stakeholders meeting in Abeokuta on Tuesday, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje noted:“The Fulani herdsmen’s problem is an old story.” Note the use of “Fulani herdsmen.”

The press and other Nigerians attaching “Fulani” to these killers are just saying the truth; the whole truth. There is no ethnic profiling here.

There is also no point living in denial. These bad herders have Fulani background. The good Fulanis (herders and non-herders), who are in majority, should help expose these bad guys among them instead of this talk about ethnic profiling. Thousands of other law abiding Fulanis are living peacefully among other Nigerians

unhindered by the crimes of few ones.

On the flip side, the Buhari government must stop treating Fulani militias with kid gloves; else, the pain being inflicted by these people across the nation will persist. Revelation by cleric, Ahmad Gumi that the militias are gathering money to acquire anti-aircraft missiles to repel attacks from security forces is worrisome. The Islamic scholar, who recently met with some of the terrorists in their strongholds in Zamfara and Kaduna states’ forests, said the operations of the militias “are fast developing into a full-blown insurgency” and should be stopped immediately.

He said: “These people are the first victims of cattle rustling, who lost all their cattle to rustlers because then, the rustlers were having the guns. Then when they lost their cattle, they joined the rustlers and they started to kidnap people. In fact, most of the kidnappings they are doing are to acquire weapons. They are now trying to buy missiles, anti-aircraft missiles.”

The cleric also revealed that the bandits have informants in the armed forces: “They have collaborators everywhere – in the armed forces, everywhere. One of them said, ‘even this cattle rustling, we don’t have trailers to transport cattle to where they are slaughtered.

We don’t have an abattoir.’ So, there are people collaborating with them.”

The number of these militias and the quantity of arms/ammunitions in their hands in different camps across North-west and North-central are on the rise. They are also becoming dominant in the South. They enter communities in hundreds with highly sophisticated weapons and overwhelm security agents/local vigilantes easily. This was what happened when Fulani militias entered Kusherki, in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State last Tuesday. They killed the village head, the Dakacin Kusherki, Masud Abubakar, and kidnapped his wife. They proceeded to Munya Local Government Area, where 10 other innocent people were killed and 23 other villagers abducted. Over 100 of them invaded the communities in Rafi and Munya LGAs on motorcycles armed with AK47 rifles and other dangerous weapons. They rode from village to village, shooting sporadically.

Two days earlier, the militias operating in Rafi Local Government were on the Tegina-Zungeru highway. They forced a bus belonging to the Niger State Transport Authority (NSTA) to stop and abducted 21 people. They even released a video showing the 21 commuters while demanding a N500 million ransom.

Last Tuesday, the militias also entered Government Science School, Kagara, Niger State in hundreds and abducted 27 students, three staff and 12 others. They were dressed in military uniforms. Yes, military uniforms. A student was killed during the attack.

Another set of militias on Wednesday attacked communities in Gurmana Ward of Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State. As usual, they came in hundreds, riding motorcycles and shooting sporadically, while attacking Sarkin Zama, Bakin Kogi (Lagbe), Siyiko and other adjoining communities. 30

The Shasha Market Imbroglio

Gov Makinde

It is very painful that human live was lost in the ethnic-inspired fight among traders at Shasha market in Ibadan. My heart and prayers are still with those who suffered in the mayhem of February 12. For me, all those behind the inferno must face the full weight of the law.

Victims must get justice. This is the only way to prevent a repetition. It is even more painful that some people have been exaggerating the death toll. I don’t know what they stand to gain by inflaming the anger in the land. Official figures from the police said one person died in the fight.

Some evil people went about propagating figures as high as 20. Where were the 20 buried? A national newspaper even joined in this charade, with fabricated death toll. These wicked people obviously want to inflame anger in the North.

Unfortunately for them, they could not go that far because God-fearing Nigerians on both sides of the divide outnumber these evil people.

We should be reconciling and healing wounds, not inflaming anger. These traders from diverse parts of the country have operated together peacefully for over 40 years. This is what patriots should be promoting. It was heartwarming seeing four governors from the north -Abubakar Sanni Bello (Niger); Bello Mohammed Matawalle (Zamfara); Abdulahi Ganduje (Kano) and Abubakar Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi) - in Ibadan on Monday, promoting peace.

This is what Nigeria needs. We should be building bridges of unity and promoting concord, not digging holes and graves. As for Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, I am not sorry to say that his crisis management ability is below par. This man has to raise his game.

Even with his retinue of media aides, the social media was still dominated by fake news on the Shasha imbroglio. The truthful narratives were just not in the social media.

people were abducted while scores were killed.

Troops of the 271 Nigerian Air Force in Kaduna, who confronted the Fulani militias on February 13 at Ungwan Laya, near Birnin Gwari, confirmed that their men came face to face with over 100 militias. NAF lost six young men to the killers during the battle.

Abductions across our country are unending because the criminals are hardly punished. For example, the Fulani militias that abducted the Kankara schoolboys last December and Boko Haram terrorists that abducted Dapchi schoolgirls in 2019 are yet to be arrested and put on trial.

The Buhari government is playing with fire and must stop treating these militias/terrorists with kid gloves. Abduction has become big business, with even government at all levels paying huge money to kidnappers. Governments must stop paying kidnappers. The talks about granting amnesty to militias and giving them money is also balderdash. The only way to end this madness is to go after these militias with full force and kill them. They have tasted too much money and blood and will never drop their guns. The Buhari government must give clear instructions with deadlines to security agencies to do the needful. These people must be taken out.

A Word for Ahmad Lawan

Lawan

My dear Senate President, you will agree with me that rewarding failure should end in our dear country if we truly desire joining the club of developed countries. Nigeria has been lagging far behind other countries because our governments at all levels often reward failure. This is precisely what President Buhari is aiming to do by nominating former service chiefs as non-career ambassadors to Nigeria’s foreign missions. You and your colleagues in the Senate must not allow this to happen. To confirm former service chiefs as non-career ambassadors would amount to mocking traumatised Nigerians.

Abayomi Olonisakin, Tukur Buratai, Ibok-Ete Ibas, Sadique Abubakar and Mohammed Usman failed this country woefully. They were in charge for almost six years and watched Boko Haram, killer herders, kidnappers and bandits slaughter thousands of Nigerians, unhindered. Buratai and the others are evidently not qualified to represent this country abroad. Senators must save the country the embarrassment of rewarding mediocrity.Lawan, deep down, you know there are no credible things that would have warranted Buratai and others to be named ambassadors. These are men that should be on trial for a number of atrocities in the war against terrorism.

Confirming them will also amount to the Senate indicting itself. Thrice in 2020, the Senate asked Buhari to sack these guys for ineptitude. Senators said they were bereft of ideas to tackle raging killings across the country. You can’t turn round and confirm them as capable of representing this country abroad. As the representatives of Nigerians, you and your colleagues must stand with the people by rejecting Buratai and the other conspirators. While their reign lasted, they conspired against Nigeria.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPA P PER ˾ FEBRUARY 20, 2021

SUPER SATURDAY Rahma Indimi Savouring Triple Conquests The lingering g g marital face-off ff between Rahma Indimi and Mohammed Babangida g over the custody of their four kids may be over. Rahma now legally has custody of the kids. Ferdinand Ekechukwu reports

M

ohammad Babangida had shortly after their marriage crises began in 2016, initiated custody battle to reunite his children and cut-off every trace of Rahma Indimi from their lives. Recall that the almost 14-year-old marriage between Mohammed and his first wife/mother of his four children, Rahama, had crashed irredeemably in 2016. Rahma is the daughter to Mohammed Indimi, a Maiduguri-based billionaire and oil magnate.

Mohammed, on the other hand, is the first son of Ibrahim Babangida, former Nigeria’s head of state. The estranged couple however was in the news days earlier due to Rahma’s post that there can be peace between couples even after a divorce. The mother of four stated this, two days after she celebrated her recent victory in court. According to Rahma, she was sued three times by her ex-husband, Mohammed Babangida, for custody of their children and she won.

“My ex-husband took me to court for custody. I won.

Alhamdulliah. 3rd time,” she said responding to a poser from an Instagram user. Taking to her story, she then shared a comment she made on the platform, thanking everyone for their support and advised divorcees to sue for the sake of their children. “Thank you so much. I really appreciate the support. People need to understand that there is peace after divorce. Not everything is a fight.

“Yes, when you marry another, I understand they instigate a lot of issues between the divorcee only for their own selfish interests not to give any room for reconciliation between them. Men/ women, there can be peace and tolerance ooo. Do everything you can for the kids’ sake. Simple. Do not fight, just get along. Drop the hatred and animosity. Let peace reign jorrr.”

She further shared footage showing the moment she got news that she won her court case.

Their marital face-off had taken them to seven different courts between Minna, Niger State and Abuja over the custody of the four kids they had together. Her post had also revealed that in addition to the reconciliation, she has a fiancé: “Allah is wonderful.

The moment I got the best news in my life and I didn’t even know @dolcesheriff captured it on camera. Yessss ooooo after years in court, I won my case again and again. Alhamdullilah. 2021 is a good year. Reconciliation, winning my case and a wonderful fiancé that dots on me. Alhamdullilah ya Allah. Ya Allah, please continue to bless me.

While the union has so far endured a tumultuous ride, the couple, however, appeared to have buried the hatchet last year after Rahma revealed that they are cordially co-parenting their kids. Earlier in February, Rahma celebrated Mohammed on his 48th birthday with a terse post wherein she described Mohammed as her “one and only baby daddy.”

“Happy birthday to my one and only baby daddy. . .

Wishing you the best in everything that you do,” she wrote. In another post, she also shared a photo of a beautiful cake made for Mohammed with photos of her and their children on it. “Happy birthday to our one and only. May Allah always protect you and may Allah always be there for you,” she added. At the height of their face-off, the duo had gone to court over who should have custody of their four children.

Sometime in November 2018, Rahama had taken to social media to accuse Mohammad of using money to secure full custody of their children. Rahma had initially taken custody of their two eldest kids, Maryam and Ibrahim. While their eldest kids were with her, Mohammed took the custody battle to a Sharia Court in Minna, Niger state. The Court then ordered Rahma to hand over the two children to their father, pending the determinaa tion of a substantive suit.

A source had alleged she decided to flout the court order concerning her children’s custody: “If the truth be told, Rahama is all out to drag her former husband and his family’s name in the mud. . . The kids have been with their father even since she moved out of the family home in Minna about four years ago.

Despite all these, Mohammed still ensured that the family came together during vacation through holiday trips abroad. After the last one, she refused to allow the kids come back to Minna.

“Mohammed had allowed the kids to wait with her after the trip. She had to be cajoled into coming to Minna before the kids were returned to school. At that point, efforts were made to ensure that she was placated with gifts and money. Unknown to Mohamm med, she only took a break. When during the long vacation, the kids went to her again for another holiday she refused to release them for school, for the second time. Even when the Sharia Court decided the children should be returned to their father so that the status quo is maintained, she refused it.”

At first, Rahma, who had her kids taken from her following the faceoff and separation from Mohammed, swore she would continue to fight till her last breath. In a swift reaction, Rahama

Rahma Indimi took to the social media, insisting that her ex manipulated the Sharia court to get custody of their kids: “Well, I won my case in Minna last year. But victory was short-lived when Mohammed Babangida refused to accept his defeat. He brought his personal Judge to hear the matter again in the same court, instead of going to the Sharia Court of Appeal.

“I’m thinking since I’m done in Minna, I can finally move on with my life. Unfortunately, the case was re-listed. I told the court I’m not interested in doing the case. Lo and behold, the Judge forced me to be the plaintiff. My lawyer said we are still not interested in the case. Fine, I’m forced to do a case that I know they have no jurisdiction over, against my will. Long story short, the judge said I’m not truthful because I have no marriage certificate. What does customary law have to do with Sharia Law? “This man changed the Sharia Law to fit his client. He gave him exclusive custody of all the four kids. Mind you, Sharia gives my mum custody if I’m unfit to mother my children. Even the two that are not within jurisdiction. Hey may God help our judiciary. Money talks and b””” shit works. I will continue to fight till my last breadth. Allah Kareem, Allah Wakil.”

She had taken Mohammed to seven other courts during this period over the same matter - Sharia Court in Minna, Sharia Court of Appeal, Minna, High Court, Minna Area Court, Abuja Upper Sharia Court, Abuja High Court Abuja and Court of Appeal, Abuja. She proceeded with a petition sent to President Muhammadu Buhari, the National Assembly, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Director DSS, the Sultan of Sokoto, Supreme Council of Sharia in Nigeria, National Human Rights Commission and the President, Nigerian Bar Association, alleging numerous acts of arbitrary abuse of power and privileges by Mohammed. She eventually got approval to keep her kids.

Growing up, Mohammed’s first love was actually Umma, the daughter of Ambassador Aminu Wali, the former Nigerian

Envoy to the United States of America. Like it is in aristocratic families, where matchmaking is the norm, Rahma was married to Mohammed with a view to cementing the relationship between the two influential families. But Umma was the woman who made his heart to flutter. His heart and thoughts remained with her. Thus when Mohammed announced, four years into his marriage with Rahma, that he would be taking a second wife, it was hardly surprising to his family and friends who knew he still held a torch for his first love, Umma.

Mohammed’s decision was said to have been supported by his super rich family whose wealth and contacts had earned them a pride of place among the world’s privileged aristocrats. Being the heir apparent to the Babangida dynasty, the family left no stone unturned to ensure the marriage was a grand affair in April 2008, when Mohammed got married to Umma at an elaborate ceremony which spanned several days in Kano and Minna.

Consequently upon his second marriage, Rahama, moved out of her once cherished matrimonial home. Reason prevailed in 2010 after some months of initial grandstanding with Rahama returning after pleas from family members. Before he took Umma as his second wife, Mohammed, who is fondly called Moha by his friends and admirers, had faced a stiff opposition from Rahama. She was aggrieved with her husband’s decision to take a second wife. She was said to have felt crushed with the prospect of sharing Mohammed with another woman. And this must have fueled the bitterness she felt towards Umma for usurping her in the life of Moha.

After 14 years of roller-coaster marital life, Rahma, who owns Deva Petals and Fashion Cafe, a luxury fashion platform in Abuja, announced in July 2016 her final split with Mohammed. Prior to that decision, efforts by the two influential families, Babangida and Indimi, to rein in on the couple failed as the two could not reach a common ground for love sake.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 20, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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ͺ͸˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

COMMENTARY

AGENDA FOR THE NEW EFCC CHAIRMAN The war against corruption must now be strengthened and refocused, writes Etim Etim

T

he appointment of a new chairman for the EFCC last week by President Muhammadu Buhari should bring the drift and commotion within the commission to an end and reposition it to perform its core functions more effectively. Although the commission has been fairly successful in its core mandate of fighting corruption, it has also been in the news for the wrong reasons bordering on mismanagement of its resources, poor accountability and political interference in its affairs.

There is so much for Abdulrasheed Bawa, the youthful new chairman selected from the rank of the commission’s Course One Cadets to do to reset the EFCC on a trajectory of professionalism, independence and service. The war against corruption must now be strengthened and refocused. The people who stole from the country should never be allowed a moment of peace. Mr. Bawa is the first non-policeman to head the agency, breaking from a 16-year tradition during which five police officers had run the place and left in varying controversial circumstances.

So far, Bawa’s appointment has been received with some appreciable level of excitement by the 3,500 staffers of the commission, of which 1,000 are policemen. Nigerians are largely struck by his youthfulness and his accomplishments as an investigator who came well recommended for the job. There have been many insinuations in the social media about his connection with Abubakar Malami, the nation’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, and the fact that both are from the same state of Kebbi. For me, that is of no consequence. The important thing is that the new chairman will be assessed based on his ability to act independently and professionally in the service of the nation.

Before this elevation, he has headed the Port Harcourt and Lagos zonal offices, supervising the biggest operations zonal office of the EFCC in Lagos with 604 officers and men and securing 227 convictions despite the Covid-19 pandemic.

He also supervised the investigation of all cases in Port Harcourt Zonal office in which an unprecedented 215 convictions were secured in eleven months and final forfeiture of hundreds of properties were secured to the federal government. Bawa also supervised the investigation of all cases in the Ibadan Zonal office in which 113 were concluded and 54 were charged to court within six Month. Nigerians will remember Bawa for his crusading zeal in the investigation of former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke, from 2015 till this day.

Millions of dollars worth of property in Nigeria, UK., USA, and UAE including 92 properties in Nigeria alone were recovered from her.

In the investigations into the activities of Atlantic Energy Group between 2014 and 2015, millions of dollars’ worth of property in Nigeria, UK, USA, Switzerland, UAE and Canada were recovered to the federal government. Bawa was also commended for his leading roles in this probe, just as he also led the team that probed the fraudulent crude oil swaps during the Alison-Madueke era; Petroleum Subsidy Fraud of 2012 to 2015 during which he identified fraud of about N70billion, recovered billions of Naira and prosecuted several companies.

In terms of technical competencies, Bawa’s resume is impressive. He is a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE); Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) who has undergone training at various institutions, including United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI);

THE NEW CHAIRMAN WILL BE ASSESSED BASED ON HIS ABILITY TO ACT INDEPENDENTLY AND PROFESSIONALLY IN THE SERVICE OF THE NATION

United States Financial Crime Enforcement Network (FINCEN); The World Bank; The United Nations Office of Drug and Crimes, The Nigeria Police Force; The Nigeria State Security Services; The EFCC Academy and United Kingdom’s Global Training Consulting.

But in his new role as chairman, Bawa will rely more on his leadership skills than his technical prowess in managing the various issues, interests and stakeholders of the commission. Top on his agenda will be the various reputational issues that have plagued the commission, especially in the last five years or so. Bawa will have to deal with the various cases of conflicts of interest among staff, the questionable character of some operatives and the political interferences from the politicians. He should not yield himself as an instrument of witch hunt, and at the same time, nobody should be too big to be investigated.

Nigerians are well aware of the cat-and-mouse relationship between the former EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu and the nation’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami. Mr. Bawa cannot afford to make himself available to be used by the Minister or even the President. Thank God, President Buhari has never been known for political vindictiveness or vengeance.

To fully insulate the commission from political interferences, the National Assembly should amend Section 3(2) of the EFCC Act 2004 which empowers the president to remove the chairman from office for whatever reasons. Of all the five persons who have led the commission since inception (Ribadu, Farida, Lamorde, Magu and Umar), none has completed a full four-year as a substantive chairman. Such frequent changes at the top create institutional weakness, and compel the incumbent to seek to be subservient to the political authority, instead of being only loyal to the constitution. Like the ICPC, the EFCC Chairman should be tenured for a fixed term of four or five years, and his removal from office should only be effected through the endorsement of the National Assembly. This will discourage the incumbent from seeking to please the Minister or President at the expense of doing his job independently.

It is such independence and institutional stability that shields the FBI Director from political manipulation in the US, although the director reports to the US Attorney General as well.

As he preps to face the Senators for his confirmation hearing, the new chairman should also be prepared to work on lifting the sagged staff morale. Delayed promotion, nonpayment of severance package and debilitating work culture should be addressed. He should see all staff as stakeholders in the war against corruption and be ready to build a highly motivated and effective team. Despite its many leadership headaches, the EFCC has been one of the most successful agencies created during this democratic dispensation. The relentless pursuit of corrupt politicians, the many recoveries of stolen assets and convictions of tainted government officials and their allies have made the commission one of the most feared, admired and respected institutions in the country. Nigerians must not be disappointed. Mr Bawa also carries a different kind of burden. For a long time Nigerians have been talking of the need for a generational shift of responsibility to younger citizens. This appointment is in a way a fulfillment of those yearnings. Mr Bawa must work hard to justify this confidence by improving on the successes of his predecessors.

FAREWELL, JOHN OYEDIRAN OLABISI Michael A. Ige pays tribute to Olabisi, surgeon, entrepreneur and philanthropist

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enning a tribute that captures the elephant-size life of my departed uncle, mentor and father-figure, Dr. John Oyediran Olabisi, who transited on January 13 at 71, was a difficult task. Not for lack of words or how to express my thoughts. Being far younger to him, I considered myself unqualified to document Omooba Olabisi sufficiently.

He was a rare human type whose impact on me, as well as on others, made tribute writing a great task.

In every respect, Dr. Olabisi was one of the greatest men Henry W. Longfellow had in mind in his poetic lines: Life of great men all remind us; we can make our lives sublime; and, departing, leave behind us, footprints on the sands of time.

A man of many positive parts, he was a prince, an accomplished Nigeria and United Kingdom-trained Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) surgeon, distinguished administrator, entrepreneur, ordained deacon of the Baptist Church, philanthropist and community leader, who used his life, resources and talents for the benefits of humanity, society and the kingdom of God. Born on January 2nd, 1950 of royal blood – a prince of the ancient Iganna kingdom in Iwajowa Local Government Area of Oyo State, his father was late Oba Alabi Owolabi Olabisi, the Shabiganna of Iganna, while his mother was Olori Abigail Ajike

Olabisi (a.k.a. Mama Ajiroba).

Destined to be great though, the death of his father when he was just nine years old, was his life’s first challenge. So, young Olabisi faced poverty and had to live with different relations and good spirited individuals who supported his early, middle and secondary education.

Regardless of the vicissitudes of life, he was determined to live his dream of greatness. He also imbibed a lifetime commitment to be the shoulder for others to lean on and rise to greatness in their various endeavours.

Dr. Olabisi’s footprints were indeed global. Having trained as a medical doctor at the University of Ibadan and a specialisation programme in Scotland as an ENT surgeon, and qualifying as a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Glasgow, he had a distinguished public service career with the Oyo State Government. He got to the pinnacle becoming the pioneer Permanent Secretary of Simeon Adebo Staff Development Centre from where he retired from service in 2010.

He contributed significantly to qualitative healthcare delivery in Oyo State, Southwest and Nigeria as a whole through Highland Specialist Hospital, Yemetu, Ibadan which he founded in 2000. His footprint extended to Saudi Arabia’s medical space in 1990 where he worked as

an ENT surgeon at King Faisal Hospital.

Other accomplishments included serving as President, Otorhinolaryngological Society of Nigeria; Chairman, Medical Board, Nigerian Baptist Convention; and Board Member, Bowen University Teaching Hospital, respectively.

As an entrepreneur, Highland Specialist Hospital that he founded in partnership with physicians from across specialised fields of medicine, was one of the comprehensive healthcare facilities in Ibadan.

Dr. Olabisi also contributed significantly to national economic growth and job creation through investment in the banking sector as Board Member, Crest Microfinance Bank Nigeria Limited and Chairman, Aibio Microfinance Bank respectively.

My personal testimonial of his entrepreneurial prowess was the dexterity he brought onboard when he served as the Chairman of MediaLedge Nigeria Limited, an integrated marketing communications company, of which I was the founder and managing director. Uncle Olabisi’s wealth of experience, mentoring and connection opened great doors for us. I shall remain eternally grateful to him.

His commitment to philanthropy and selfless service was second to none. While in the public service, Olabisi was the preferred doctor every patient loved, to attend to them. He was very caring, loving,

empathetic and compassionate. His private hospital was known as ‘ile aanu’ (mercy house) because on many occasions, Dr. Olabisi treated and discharged patients who were unable to pay medical bills.

Beneficiaries of his rare act of kindness are numerous.

A community leader and man of the people, his many alluring testimonials include being in touch with his roots. He launched a community hospital in his hometown Iganna, Oyo State, in memory of his father, HRH Alabi Olabisi, in 2020.

He was also General Secretary, The League of Iganna Patriots, as well as Chairman, Ibadan Branch of Olivet Old Students Association, his alma mater.

A good soldier of Jesus Christ, Dr. Olabisi, who gave his life to Christ in 1973, together with his amiable wife of over 45 years, Mrs. Bolanle Olabisi, served in the church as deacon and deaconess, and as Sunday School teachers. He also maintained a good home grounded on sound family values that made his home a home for all and sundry.

Indeed, Dr. Olabisi’s passage, though painful, is a celebration of life of excellence and positive impact.

Adieu great uncle. r*HF XSPUF GSPN UIF 6OJUFE 4UBUFT PG "NFSJDB

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ͺ͸˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

INSIGHT

The shame of a nation...

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Namaste Wahala: A Fusion of Bollywood and Nollywood TOYOTA AND ABUJA-

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ccording to the Director of the new movie ‘Namaste Wahala’ “I am very excited about Namaste Wahala going to the whole world through Netflix.

The movie showcases the beauty of Nigeria and the wealth in Nollywood”.

Hamisha Daryani-Ahuja, a Nigerian of third generational Indian descent who also double as the Executive Producer went on to tell the press and movie lovers that “It was amazing to see how beautifully two cultures which I hold very close to my heart came together in this fusion movie.”

Namaste Wahala is a cross-cultural love story involving Didi a young Nigerian lady lawyer/social worker interpreted by Ini Dima-Okonjie and Raj, a young Indian investment banker acted by Ruslaan Mumtaz. Their romantic fraternity faced serious objection from both corners of their parents because of cultural variations, but in the end had a good Indian-Nigerian wedding.

It was Namaste Wahala this and that, on Nigerian social media airspace creating a buzz. I did not want to be that Nigerian that would carry last, I rejected the counsel of that little child in the viral video to be calming down and glory to internet I did the needful.

The storyline is good, right costumes and good interpretation of roles, above all one can’t miss the humor in the movie. It reminds me of the movie ‘Mississippi Masala’ where Indian parents couldn’t come to terms with the fact that their daughter was in love with a black guy.

In Namaste Wahala too, Didi’s father acted by our one and only evergreen RMD struggled to accept that, since he preferred his young Nigerian employee to marry his daughter, just like it was difficult for Raj’s mother Meera acted by Bollywood’s Sujata Segal. Raj’s father was mild about it, and Didi’s mother, our adorable favourite Joke Silva didn’t take it too hard like her husband since she a Yoruba married an Igbo man and was aware of the struggles of inter-cultural marriages.

From the acting point of view, they struggled to get into the grove in the beginning of the movie. The actors appeared a little tensed in the movie, a more seamless displace and interpretation could have been better without trying to appear too Bollywood and Nollywood since the whole world is watching; the point is to tell a Nigerian

and Indian story but it must be acted to appear normal and appealing to a global audience. I love the performance of the driver who picked Raj’s mum at the airport to Victoria Island in Lagos, I enjoyed Sujata and Anee Icha’s interpretation of roles.

I hope the fusion and coming together of Bollywood and Nollywood grow bigger in terms of technical exchange, endorsements, enlargement of audience and fan base, especially in favour of Nigerian actors since Bollywood is worth 183 billion Indian Rupees, that’s $2.52 billion with 3.6 billion viewing audience globally compared to N87 billion that Nollywood generated in 2019 and accounted for 0.27% of Nigeria’s GDP, with Nigerian average actors earning as low as N199,000 to N597,000 per film.

The fundamental message in Namaste Wahala is about racial and cultural integration, inclusion and unity. As Crystal award winner Olafur Eliasson captured it, “Art does not show people what to do, yet engaging with a good work of art can connect you to your senses, body and mind, it can make the world felt and this felt feeling may spur thinking, engagement and even action”. In this time when the world is struggling with racial crisis like #Blacklivesmatter, and centrifugal forces like religion, ethnicity and politics pulling Nigeria in different directions. One hopes Namaste Wahala will be that work of art that will spur people to think, engage and act to embrace unity and peace.

By and large Namaste Wahala is a good movie by all standards and it is streaming live and trending on the top 10 movies on Netflix. This is fresh air for Nigeria that has been trending globally in place of insecurity and bloodletting. r-PSFO[ #BKBI "CVKB T H E SAT U R DAY N E W S PA P E R EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE DEPUTY EDITOR FESTUS AKANBI MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR JOSEPH USHIGIALE

T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D

Science Rocks

T

he words you don’t want to hear after a successful Mars landing, “Who left the lens cover on?”. Thank goodness it all worked well, and we can look forward to a number of discoveries on the planet’s surface. Science Rocks! r%FOOJT 'JU[HFSBME .FMCPVSOF "VTUSBMJB

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS BOLAJI ADEBIYI, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS PATRICK EIMIUHI, SAHEED ADEYEMO CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO HEAD, COMPUTER DEPARTMENT PATRICIA UBAKA-ADEKOYA TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

KADUNA HIGHWAY

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he adversities brought upon the Nigerian state by criminal gangs in the South and Islamist terrorists in the North do not serve our country any good offering but smart entrepreneurs and business-branding people of multinationals are poised to reap hundreds of millions of dollars from our collective national foolishness.

It was a relief, albeit an undesirable one, to read the advert for Toyota’s Nigerian-centric medium-sized bus transport that is a veritable “armoured tank.” Yes, that is the state we have got ourselves in. Imagine what should pass for a comfy coach on our highways now fitted with gun ports, assault-resistant body-plating, glass, and wheels plus a whole lot of offerings that will have our infantry corps green with envy. But that is how it should be now otherwise the vital Abuja-Kaduna road artery will be left to ruins. True, the Abuja-Kaduna highway is necessary as a “de-congest route” to help ease the hectic stress of week-day lives at the Federal Capital Territory because, if that road were safe to traverse at all times, Northern Nigerians of all shades will repair to Kaduna for weekends and holidays, Kaduna still being some sort of de-facto capital of Northern Nigeria. What the Toyota automobile company has done is to create a niche business that will define safe road transport in Nigeria; that “gun port” feature excites me greatly because the deterrence for road marauders who chose to rob, kidnap, rape, and decimate is sustained bursts of suppression fire from Gatling-like gun platforms mounted at spread-out locations within the bowel of the bus transport. The time has come to begin exterminating criminal elements from Nigerian roads and it does not matter if they are Fulani kinsfolk of our sitting president. r4VOEBZ "EPMF +POBI %FQBSUNFOU PG 1IZTJDT 'FEFSBM 6OJWFSTJUZ PG 5FDIOPMPHZ .JOOB /JHFS 4UBUF

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺ͸,ͺ͸ͺ͹

NEWS Why Delta May Revoke Undeveloped Plots in Asaba, Others Omon-Julius Onabu ÓØ ÝËÌË

YOU’RE WELCOME… L-R: Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State and the Secretary to the Federal Governmrnt, SGF, Boss Mustapha, during a courtesy call on the Governor yesterday at Government House, Owerri

Saraki Wants Solution to Crime from Stakeholders Meeting

Laleye Dipo ÓØ ÓØØË

Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has called for a stakeholders meeting to find solution to the problems of insecurity across the country.

Saraki made the suggestion yesterday in Minna, the Niger State capital while fielding questions from journalists after leading the Peoples Democratic Party National Reconciliation and Search Committee to former President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida at his Uphill residence.

“It (insecurity) is of great concern to all of us as I have always said, it is a matter that should not just

be left to the government.

“It is a matter that the ruling party, opposition and elder statesmen should all meet and contribute to find solution to the problem so that we can successfully address the problem,” Saraki said.

On the mandate of the committee, the former Senate President declared that the panel will be fair to all those that are aggrieved within the party, promising that everybody will be heard in order to bring peace and progress to the party.

“We have made it clear to the NWC that we are committed and we are working to ensure

that our recommendations are implemented, we will not allow anybody in any way to tamper with the report.

“We want to be able to look anybody in the face and tell them the truth,” he declared adding that the committee will be fair to everybody.

Saraki appealed to those who are aggrieved to give peace a chance and “those who are aggrieved should just be patient and should be confident that by God’s grace we will do the things that they will be proud of.”

He said the committee would meet all youth and women groups within the party next week in

order to get their inputs.

Saraki said they were in Minna to get the blessing of former military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida to “get his blessing” and condole him on the kidnap of students at the Government Science College Kagara.

The committee also called on another former Nigerian Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar and the state Governor Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello.

Others members of the committee on the entourage were Senator Liyel Imoke, Mrs. Mulikat Akande, former House leader and Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, former governor of Niger State.

Sani Yarima Pays Sympathy Visit to Seriki Hausa Shasha Bennett Oghifo The Àrst Civilian Governor of Zamfara State, Ahmad Sani (Yarima Bakura), on Thursday paid a sympathy visit to the Seriki Shasha, Oyo State, Alhaji Haruna Maiyasin Katsina over the avoidable violence that erupted recently in the area.

Yarima commiserated with all the people involved in the skirmishes and lost valuable personal belongings during the unfortunate mayhem. The former governor sued for peace and cordial existence among the various stakeholders in Shasha community of Oyo State, a΀rming, that they should see themselves as one big family, who should continue to live in peace for the overall good

of the country, Nigeria.

He counseled all the residents of Shasha to put the incident behind them faster than it came. He called on the Seriki Hausa of Shasha to bring back his people that have left the community so as to continue eking out their means of livelihood without any fear or molestation.

Yarima described the people of Oyo State as accommodating and loving people, who were always ready to identify with all and sundry, no matter their ethnic groups. Oyo State, Yarima said, was home for all, where there was no ethnic discrimination, but rather an environment of amity, concord and unfettered fellowship.

The Sariki Hausa of Shasha thanked Yarima for his national-

ism, patriotism and love for the indivisibility of Nigeria.

He thanked him for Ànding the time out of his busy schedules to visit and commiserate with the Shasha community.

He assured Senator Sani Ahmed Yarima, that everything possible would be done to ensure, that the age-long love and spirit of togetherness, that has existed between the diͿerent ethnic groups in the Shasha community is fast restored, stressing, that in Shasha “we are one big family of peaceful Nigerians Àrst and foremost, who have mingled and inter-married, hence, there is no Hausa or Igbo in Shasha, but true Nigerians.”

Yarima also joined other Nigerians at the 8th day Fidau prayer for late Àrst civilian

governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, whom he described as a nationalist par excellence.

He said politicians should emulate Jakande’s selÁess service, commitment and resilience, through which he impacted immensely and positively on the lives of Lagosians.

Yarima appreciated the enviable contributions of Jakande in giving Lagos a solid foundation in the course of his four years of purposeful leadership of Lagos State.

He called for landmark immortalisation of the of Lagos, Nigeria and Africa, while he urged the political class in Lagos State to hold high his unstained Áag of life more abundant to all.

NDLEA Seizes 1,292 Kilograms of Drug in Ondo Forest Olaoluwakitan Babatunde Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Ondo State Command, have arrested nine dealers of illicit drugs and seized from them a total of 1, 292 kilograms of cannabis sativa and its seeds.

Announcing the huge seizure in a statement yesterday, the state Commander of the anti-drug agency, Mr. Haruna Gagara, disclosed that out of the figure, 711.5kg of cannabis seeds was

recovered from a forest in Ago Oyibo area of Ogbese, Akure North Local Government Area of the state.

According to him, “this seizure has thwarted the mass cultivation of an estimated 250 hectares of cannabis sativa farmland in Ondo state. This humongous cultivation if allowed would produce an estimated 443, 000 kilograms of cannabis.”

He said his men stormed the forest on Thursday, February 18, 2021 following intelligence. Some of

the suspects arrested in connection to the seizure include; Alex Moses, 35; Oshie Emmanuel, 20; Friday Effiong, 31; Emmanuel Akpan, 25, and David Friday, 19.

The commander also said his operatives had earlier intercepted a vehicle loaded with 580.5kg of the illicit drug along Ogbese-Owo road. “The consignment was to be smuggled to Kano State. If it had not been intercepted, it may further fuel the current insecurity and banditry being experienced in the North West region of Nigeria,”

he stated.

While appreciating the Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) for motivating them to always go on the offensive action against illicit drug traffickers and dealers, Gagara said, “let me seize this opportunity to warn those who indulge in the illicit cultivation and trafficking of cannabis sativa in the state to desist from doing so, as there will be no hiding place for them because the Command is poised to fish them out.”

Delta State Government has explained why it might revoke the ownership of plots of land in Asaba and other urban areas that have remained undeveloped for over two years, if no development of the allotted lands commenced in three months.

The Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, who gave the warning in Asaba, deplored the attitude of some persons who acquired land from the state government but had left such lands undeveloped for long periods, saying that the situation was impeding the transformation of the environment through urban renewal eͿorts of the state government.

While noting that the decision was not meant to witch-hunt anybody, Aniagwu said that some of the undeveloped lands had become the den of kidnappers and robbers aside defacing the state capital and other towns and cties in the state.

Aniagwu said that the state government had decided to invoke Section 5 of the Land Use Act to drive the process of reclaiming undeveloped plots of land.

According to him, nobody in government is looking for land

to buy from those he tremed “land bankers’’ but rather the interest of the state government was to develop the state in all spheres.

The information commissioner said that it was counterproductive to leave an acquired land undeveloped after three to 10 years of acquisition, with a Certifucate-of-Occupancy from the state government.

Aniagwu stressed that the Okowa administration was determined to its Urban renewal programme aimed at ensuring employment creation, strengthening of security and advancement of socio-economic development.

“Individuals who had acquired lands from the state government with CertiÀcate of Occupancy (C of O) have turned themselves into land bankers.

“This means that instead of such individuals to develop the acquired lands, they leave them hence we still see bushes around our cities.

He warned that anybody with a C-of-O of two years and above on a parcel of land acquired from the state government, but without any sign of development, will have such land(s) taken over by the government for better development.

Buhari Commiserates With Gov Okowa On His Father’s Death Deji Elumoye ÓØ ÌßÔË President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State and his entire family over the demise of their father, Sir Arthur Okorie Okowa.

The President, according to a statement by his Media Adviser, Femi Adesina, sent a letter of condolence to the governor on behalf of the Government and people of Nigeria.

In the letter, President Buhari described Pa Okowa as one who

lived a life dedicated to the service of God and humanity, as a teacher, school administrator, devout Christian and community leader.

“He will be fondly remembered for his meritorious service to Delta State and indeed Nigeria. I urge you and other members of the family to find inspiration and solace in the fulfilled life he lived.”

The President also prayed that the Almighty God will grant Governor Okowa, his family and all those mourning “the fortitude to bear the loss of this outstanding departed gentleman”.

NCAC, NTA Join Forces to Tackle Rape Menace Charles Ajunwa The National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) have agreed to join forces together in tackling the menace of rape in Nigeria.

Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, Otunba Segun Runsewe and Director General of the Nigerian Television Authority, Mallam Yakubu ibn Mohammed, arrived at the decision when the NCAC boss paid a courtesy call on his counterpart in NTA headquarters in Abuja.

Runsewe said that the efforts of the NTA in eradicating rape in the country were yielding positive results as the rate has drastically reduced as indicated by statistics from the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory.

He added that the sustained dissemination of information and condemnation of rape by NTA had gone a long way to sensitise rape victims and their families on what to do and whom to complain to when they fall

victim of rape.

The NCAC boss said that as the custodian of culture in Nigeria and Africa, he knew that no aspect of Nigerian or African custom or tradition supports rape and as such, he would throw his weight behind any institution that is ready to fight rape and rapists in Nigeria.

Runsewe, who declared NTA a formidable ally in sensitising Nigerians on the dangers of rape and the consequences of rape on its victims, said that his organisation strongly believed that NTA and NCAC could form the much needed synergy that is required to fight rapists all over the country.

On his part, the DG of NTA, Yakubu ibn Mohammed, affirmed his organisation’s support to the federal government determination to eradicate the scourge of rape, noting that NTA has decided to be in the forefront of the vanguard to fight rapists and all other social vices in Nigeria.

He said that the acronym “STAR” – Stand Against Rape has already been adopted to fight against this social vice called rape.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 20, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺͮ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

NEWS

Obaseki Accuses APC of Taking Advantage of Farmers/Herders Crisis Deji Elumoye ËØÎ Udora Orizu ÓØ ÌßÔË Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has accused members of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) of trying to take advantage of the ongoing farmers/herders crisis through media sponsored messages to

scare the citizenry and cause trouble.

Obasekiwhostatedthiswhile speaking with newsmen in Abuja warned that people who hadaspiredtoleadership,should not inflame an already tensed situation.

He said, ''If you will just go through some blogs and some

of the narratives and messages sentaroundonlineandonsocial media, you can see a correlation.

For instance, the people who are pushing the message that I haven't given grazing land in Edo, if you see them, they are the same blogs, the same peoplewhoweresponsoringopposition messages throughout

election, so clearly if you were in my position, what will be your conclusion?''

Speaking further, the Governor said the state was having challenges as bandits and illegal loggers had invaded Edo forests.

His words: "We've been having challenges with, not just only bandits in our forests,

but illegal loggers. It's been an invasion of our forests, with armed loggers coming in to indiscriminately cut logs from our forests. I'm sure you would have seen this news about the Okomu National Park, it's one of the last pristine rain forests we have left and the amount of logging by armed loggers in the last couple of months have been really troubling. ''They are also affecting the wildlife, you know that reserve hosts some very rare species of animalsandwiththisavalanche of loggers, we are losing them and it's something of concern so I've come to rub minds with the Chief of Staff to see how the federal government can assist withtheNationalParksGuards,

with our local guards and see if the military can give them backup.''

On why Edo was reneging on the decision to promote grazing reserves,Obasekiwhoexplained that a state government was not in the business of ranching or of providing grazing lands, howeversaidtherewerecommunities that had lands, which have, as at today, accommodated herders under some arrangements.

Hesaid:''WhatIsuggestedwas that these communities should look at making lands available when herdsmen come in, they can grow grass and charge them toherdinspecificareasandavoid getting the herdsmen to trespass into other people's farm lands because that is what causes crisis.

Nigerians Charged to Pray Against Insecurity

RUBBING MINDS...

L-R: Head of the Political Desk, British High Commission, Jonathan Bacon and Former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu during the diplomat's meeting with the lawmaker in Abuja on Thursday

Seek Foreign Help on Insecurity to Avoid Food Scarcity, Lawani Urges Buhari George Okoh ÓØ ËÕßÜÎÓ Former Deputy Governor of Benue State and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Steven Lawani, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to look into the possibility of inviting foreign support to end the escalating insecurity the country is going through.

He said if solution to bandits and other crimes in the country could not be found in the country, then Buhari should waste no time in seeking foreign support just like the way Nigeria has helped other countries when

they were in need of security assistance.

Lawani spoke to reporters yesterday at his home in Makurdi even as he said any further delay would be catastrophic in the area of food production and scarcity.

Besides, he stressed the propensity for the country to embrace ranching as the best form of animal husbandry to address the intractable rift between herdsmen and farmers across the country.

He said the level of insecurity in the country today had assumed a worrisome level, stressing that more needs to

be done as the situation if not arrested would plunge the nation into endemic hunger and starvation.

"Today, we have the army and police controlling affairs if there is breakdown of law and order and the hoodlums take over the roads and they start shooting, they don't ask whether you are APC, PDP, Yoruba, Hausa, Idoma or Tiv so it's something we all are worried.

"I think more needs to be done. I have spoken about it before where I said if the insecurity situation in the country is not arrested, worse implication

is yet to come.

"If people cannot go to their farms to farm, there is going to be starvation in time to come and that will lead to more trouble.

"So the implication of insecurity is enormous and therefore, government must do something quickly. If the Nigerian government cannot arrest the situation and requires help from outside, let them do it. "We (Nigeria) had in the past, aided countries who have had similar situations, if we are not capable of arresting the situation, let them also look for assistance outside."

WTO: Orji Congratulates Okonjo-Iweala

Security: Ugwuanyi Assures New AIG, Zone 13 of Support

Charles Ajunwa

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has assured the new Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 13, Dunukofia, Anambra State, AIG Mohammed Hafiz, of his administration’s continued support to enable the zone perform more effectively.

Speaking when he received in audience the new AIG, at the GovernmentHouse,Enugu,Gov. Ugwuanyi stressed that his administrationremainscommitted tosecurityissuesandwillgivethe Zone 13 Police boss the needed support to succeed in office.

The governor, who formally welcomedtheAIGandhisentourage, added that it is the utmost desire of his administration to maintain Enugu State’s rating in the nation’s security chart as one of the most peaceful and safest

Former governor of Abia State and Senator representing Abia Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Senator TheodoreOrji,hascongratulated Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on her emergenceasDirectorGeneralof the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Senator Orji in a statement signed by his media aide, Mr. Eddie Onuzuruike, described the former Minister of Finance as an astute professional who is committed and dedicated to job.

“May I on behalf of my family and my staff, the constituents of Abia Central Senatorial District felicitate with my ebullient constituentDr.NgoziOkonjo-Iweala onherresoundingconquestofthe worldthroughherappointmentas

theDirectorGeneraloftheWorld Trade Organisation.

“Thisworldacclaimedappointment and elevation didn't come easyasshehasperseveredprofessionally and ethically, insisted on adoptingthebasicprinciplesasthe onlyroutetoprogressandsuccess.

“Agoodlessonforourwomen and the entire nation that if you insist on doing the right thing the world at large would obey you.

“I am not surprised that she got this far considering her antecedents. Having served as a two-time Finance Minister, veering into the Foreign Affairs with spectacular innovations as rebasing the Nigerian economy not forgetting other superlative stints with the World Bank, there wasnootherdirectiontogoexcept forward as the gold fish has no hiding place.

states in the country.

Earlier in his speech, AIG HafizexpressedgratitudetoGov. Ugwuanyi and his Anambra State counterpart, Chief Willie Obiano, for their commitment and support, stating that “the zone is the most blessed because of you (Ugwuanyi) and your Anambra State colleague”.

He explained that the Zone 13 was newly established in July last year to take charge of the administrative and operational control of Enugu State and Anambra State Commands of the Nigeria Police Force.

The Police boss added that he wasappointedthesecondAIGin charge of Zone 13 following the recent elevation of the pioneer AIG, Danmallam Mohammed, to the rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG).

Nigerians, irrespective of religious persuasions have been charged to obtain religious fasting, as an antidote to duly arrest their problems or challenges whatsoever, more importantly as an antidote against crime, with such a very great sacrificial love, kindness and soberness in their relationship with God and Mankind.

They were assured of God’s unlimited mercy and profound appreciation in such regards as a genuine means of soberness to his dictates, thereby maintaining holiness, respect for human lives and constituted authority, to make the universe the very best to happily live in at all times, as well as to make Nigeria the very best to happily live in.

These remarks were contained in the Sermon of the Archbishop of Lagos Methodist Church Nigeria, His Grace, the Most Revd.

Dr. Isaac Ayobami Olawuyi, marking the 2021 Annual Ash Wednesday Devotional Service at the Wesley Cathedral Olowogbowo Lagos.

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Reiterating on the highlight of the 40-day Sojourn Fasting of the Suffering and the Crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ especially on the Cross of Calvary the eminent seasoned cleric, charged the entire universe especially the Christians world over, to permanently renounce from sins, as well as to be genuine light bearers of Christ, in their respective callings and also in their thoughts, words and deeds, with the ultimate sober reflections to God and mankind, through which all their hitherto crooked ways and sins, would definitely be straightened, corrected and forgiven, while charting a bright new calling and discipline of a better secured fulfilled tomorrow of God’s grace and honour in their respective disciplines at all times.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 24, 2011

3

Olajumoke Simplice I Have Stumbled and Fallen On Many Occasions, But Here I Am Today

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ FEBRUARY 20, 2021

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PLUS In Life, I’ve Learnt That Things are Not Always What They Seem to Be Outgoing and outspoken; that’s Olajumoke Simplice, the third female and 13th President of The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, CITN. Simplice is an embodiment of talent sustained by grace and doggedness. At 72, her mantra is“age is just a number.”One distinguishing feature of this pleasing personality is her zero tolerance for contempt and injustice. Interestingly, these weaknesses have literally turned out to be a rod with which she is able to break glass ceilings.

Simplice is still breaking more. In this interview with OMOLABAKE FASOGBON, the CITN President shares her harrowing and heartening experiences in her more than seven decades on earth and her tall dream to become a star actress, amongst others

Simplice

A

lthoughbornwithasilverspoon, Olajumoke Simplice was not trained as one. Simplice’s trajectory is such that draws questions upon questions.

For instance, she missed out on the day she was supposed to write her first common entrance examination because she was busy watching the performance of a masquerade on the street. That sounds absurd, right? But No! It was simply divine, according to the tax guru.

As a child, Simplice was a trouble maker, highly exuberant, innovative with pranks and of course, packs a rare intelligence that follows her to adulthood.As a matter of fact, she cherishes this period of her life the most and she would not mind a repeat if possible.

Those days were in Lafiaji specifically at Onikan in Lagos, where the grandmother of three unreservedly savoured with the likes of Akintola Odutola, Samuel Ladoke Akintola, Fela Kuti, Tokunbo Mario and Ladi Akintola.

Feeling more relaxed and at home, she relishes the period thus: “I could recall those days when mysiblingsandotherswouldgotoschool;Iwould be left alone at home crying. When I didn’t allow my parents to rest, I was taken to one lesson at King George Street, called kindergarten in those days. It was from the lesson that I learnt how to talk and how to behave.

“I also recall that at Christmas, our teachers will dress us up in paper which we also used for decoration and many other things. I later left there to attend a formal school - Araromi Baptist Primary School which was the same school that my siblings attended. In fact, those days were still very much in memory just like yesterday and that tells that one should not underestimate the brain of children”.

Showing more zeal to bare her experience during her days of naivety, she continued: “I happen to be the third child of five children but the naughtiest and most stubborn. My father

worked with the Ministry of Communication and my mother, a Nurse. Both of them were not always at home, so we spent most time with our grandmother.

“I really gave my parent and grandmother a tough time. It was that place they asked us not to go that I would go or what they asked us not to do that I would do. Everything about me then was Tomboyish. I could climb any tree to pluck fruits. As flexible as Guava tree is, I would climb to the level where I could to pluck the fruit.

“I remember, there was a time that my grandfather was looking for me while hiding his cane at the back, I quickly ran on top of the mango tree to hide. So, when he left, I jumped down but unfortunately my leg landed on a very sharp object that was how I was caught. Despite the pain on my leg, having landed on a sharp object, my grandfather still beat me. I also recall how I would go for swimming anytime I was coming back from school which was not allowed.

“I remember I used to fight a lot then, even when I was not the one being attacked. I fought most especially when I felt that someone was being cheated. I would intervene without being invited. I remember I once slapped my Principal for misbehaving, in fact, I beat him up. I then packed my things, left the school and never returned. I attended several secondary schools before I completed secondary education and this was because of my no-nonsense nature. But believe me, all of these experiences contributed to shaping me into a better person as I advanced in age and status. Looking back, I enjoyed every bit of my childhood.”

Absorbed in the session, she diverted a bit to how she almost missed university education for luxury. “You know, after my secondary school education, I went to work at Central Bank Library and while I was there, I was called for a scholarship interview, which I won. But you know since I was working with the Central Bank, I was carried away with the pay and good life and since the letter of scholarship read that I should inform them anytime I got to school, I felt I could go to school anytime. Therefore, going to school was never in my itinerary. One of my directors then (Dr. A. AAdekunle) sighted the letter and wondered why I had not enrolled in school. Then he called me and said, “Simplice, this is January, if by September you don’t get admission, I will sack you.” The threat hit me so hard, I was pained because I was seriously enjoying Central Bank and didn’t want to leave.

But I heeded and started processing my admission to Ahmadu Bello University.

“When I look back at my journey in life today, I feel some terrible hands have been pushing me to do something, but sincerely, I’m not regretful because somehow, they toughened me and taught me different lessons.”

Simplice shares some of the lessons just as she also spares some admonition saying, “In life, I’ve learnt that things are not always what they seem to be. I’ve learnt to look beyond the obvious because someone you considered an enemy might actually be a friend. In life, you have to be rugged and selfless, but in being selfless, you have to guard yourself too. My advice to people is for them to learn from negative experiences and improve on positive ones.

Finally, leave God to order your steps. Like I have mentioned earlier, I have fallen and stumbled on many occasions, but here I am today, because I’m rugged”.

Indeed, Simplice’ lifestyle as a juvenile defied her background but her parent, grandparent and community prevented her from going haywire as she confessed. “You see, despite that people looked at us as rich man’s children, we were not treated as such at home because the cane was always ready for us when we misbehaved. Despite that we had house help, my grandmother would tell us that the house help was for her and not for the children. If you were not there when the cooking was done, automatically, there was no food for you.

In those days, my grandmother would make us blend pepper manually instead of using electric pepper grinding machine. She also ensured that the boys among us carry out household chores. In fact, in my street then, we had a kind of community upbringing because you belong to every family on that street. If you did anything wrong, any member of a family on our street could discipline you and your parents wouldn’t say anything.

I still remember when Fela Anikulapo came back from England with his Kooler Lobitos band and we will all go and sit down to listen to his music. Meanwhile, Fela had an uncle then on the street that used to give us chocolate and biscuits. Everyone called him “Uncle”, so anytime we misbehaved at home, our parent would go and report us to Uncle and ask him not to give us chocolate as a result. I mean, we were raised by our parents and the community we found ourselves. We really enjoyed this and I really wished that this kind of community

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ FEBRUARY 20, 2021

PLUS In Life, I’ve Learnt That Things are Not Always What They Seem to Be

When CITN paid a courtesy call on Gen. Ibrahim Babangida in Minna in 2019

development of a child be restored in the society”.

A note on Simplice childhood would be incomplete without capturing her exploits in one of Nigeria’s monuments, the Race Course, now known as Tafawa Balewa Square. Pretty much interested in this episode, she gets nostalgic as she recounts the memory, “Oh my God, I rocked Race Course when it was still Race Course. Race Course of those days was very beautiful. It was not what we have today. I’m talking about those days when politicians, business moguls and the creme de la creme of the society visited to bet on horse race. I mean serious betting o! We used to go there to watch not just race but to also catch a glimpse of important people visiting and also walk around to feel the aesthetics of the monument, as there was free access then.

“On Sundays, the whole family would go there for picnic. We would play Ludo and other games and spend time with family members.

One other thing I enjoyed was how I joined my peers to sweep KJV Stadium now called Mobolaji Johnson SportsArena in Onikan, in exchange for a ticket anytime there was going to be a match.

You know, after sweeping, we would be given a VIP ticket to watch the match and then we would come in majestically to watch the match and be posing like a VIP, not knowing that we had come earlier to sweep the place.”

Though she is today a renowned tax professional, the decision to be one was taken later in life and as a last resort as she had always wanted a career in acting. “The opportunity for Taxation came when I had to leave my job as an Assistant Accountant in a fishing firm in 1982. The challenge was that I had only one child and I wanted more children, yet I worked almost every day, including weekends. So, I met a friend of mine, Prof. Teju Somorin, now Dean School of Postgraduate Studies, Caleb University, who was then an Inspector of Taxes at the then Federal Board of Inland Revenue (FBIR), now FIRS. She encouraged me to join the civil service.

She specifically talked about the Inland Revenue as being a good place to work even though the pay wasn’t high. That was how I secured a job in Inland Revenue through one of my lecturers in Ahmadu Bello University who was then the Economic Adviser to Shehu Shagari and a friend to the then Chairman of FIRS. You know then, our lecturers were like our friends and not these days when lecturers victimised students.

Whatever I am today as a tax person, FIRS was the Foundation. No doubt, I enjoyed every bit I spent in FIRS. Although, it got to a point due to restlessness in my spirit and search for higher pay, I wanted to get a job in the bank. But I placed myself on a condition that If I could get a staff quarters in Ikoyi, even if they won’t pay me

salaries for three years; I wouldn’t leave and somehow, I got one, so I decided to stay even though I had already commenced the process of working in the bank. Funny enough, I was already planning to resign in FIRS and resume at the bank when I received my letter of allocation to the quarters.”

Coincidentally, taking a career in taxation happened to be her highest point in life coupled with when she had her son. She speaks about motherhood experience thus, “I was 29 years old and in my final year in the University when I had my son who is now a lawyer. I think that was during the period of Ali Must Go Protest. I did not fall sick for one day during my pregnancy.

The period happened to be the healthiest period of my life till date. I didn’t have headache or any sign to show that I was pregnant. What about when I was to have the child, it was so easy.

I remember I was conversing with the nurse, the nurse said push and I was still asking her how I was going to push and before I knew it, the baby came out. The nurse was forced to tell me that I shouldn’t expect similar experience on subsequent pregnancies as child bearing doesn’t come that easy. Anytime, I look at the child, I’m always happy”.

Studying the way and life of Simplice from teen hood especially being a boyish girl, one couldn’t have imagined that she could be melted especially by an opposite sex. So, when this reporter asked her how did the lucky man manage to get through to her; beaming, she responded: “My story with men ehn, hmm! (heaves a sigh) You see, I’m like a stupid lover. When I fall in love, I fall in love completely and when things fall apart, I fall it apart completely. I got involved with a man on my street who came back from England. We loved each other so he wanted me to follow him to England and I told him to let me finish school first but the condition didn’t go well with him.

“He went back to England and after about three to four years, he married somebody else but he still came back to me saying stories as usual and I fell. That was how I had my son at my final year in the university and it was really a fantastic relationship, but somewhere along the line, we had issues. I had to walk out of the relationship.

I had another fantastic relationship; that one too went bad and I was forced to leave the marriage despite how I tried to endure. Though, we are no longer together as couple but we are on talking terms. As a matter of fact, he still called me last week. We are still good friends.”

Asked what happened after the relationship, she exclaimed: “I didn’t remarry o! Remarry ke, Nooo! I just got fed up and I conditioned my mind to shut men out. Asked If men were not coming,

she replied, “Why not, occasionally, men came, and I sized them up and see if it’s workable or not (bursts out laughing). By April, I will be 72 and even at that age, I still get advances from men, even younger boys will come and I will tell them that I’m old enough to be their mother and even grandmother.Although, women don’t like revealing their age but I’m always very proud to tell my age anywhere.”

Before answering another question, she quickly added, “And , I still enjoy flattery from my contemporaries and those a bit older than me. Which woman doesn’t enjoy being flattered (laughs out loudly). In fact, I still get gifts from men and boys conveying all sort of flattery messages like ‘with love from, this is for you with love in appreciation that you are so fine’, amongst many others.”

Although,shecouldbetoughwithsomequirky traits, she holds more with the philosophy of her father who is rather soft. “My father is the other side of me, except that he is also outspoken because in my house, we learn how to sorosoke (speak out your mind). He approaches life so simple and he preaches same. For instance, no matter how I offended him then, he would never beat me, he would rather sit me down and talk to me but trust my mother, and she gave me the toughest beating. Haa! She beat me o, she’s still very much alive. I recall that my father was forced to beat me once and that was because I pushed him to the wall but even at that, he came back to apologise. That day, I vowed I will not beat any of my children, but trust me, I couldn’t fulfill the vow o. There was also a time my husband misbehaved, when I was expecting my father to fume, guess what he said, ‘Leave him alone, he is a man. Let him enjoy his life, he will come back home’.

Ever wonder what is behind her Anita Baker cut signature? Indeed, she enjoys the flattery that comes with the looks and not just the simplicity and comfort. She said: “All my life, I’ve loved to be natural. Even as a teenager, I never applied make-up. The only thing artificial about me then was may be my Afro wig. God really blessed me with a very long and luxuriant hair, but I made up my mind that when I turned 60, I would cut it because I didn’t want to start going to hairdresser to retouch and face the stress of making hair. In fact, I hate the idea of visiting hairdresser and being placed under dryer for a long period.

So, when it was time to cut the hair, many, including my family members, and my stylist begged me not to cut the hair. So one day, I summoned courage and went straight to a barber shop to have the hair cut. I requested specifically for Anita Baker because I loved

the style, and ever since, I’ve been pleased with myself.”

Just like her journey to the tax profession was not premeditated, so also was her engagement with CITN. And while joining CITN, becoming the Institute President was the last thing on her mind as she said: “CITN started in 1982 which was the same year I joined Inland Revenue.

My first posting at Inland Revenue was to the International Tax Division, the then Chairman insisted that I had to join CITN which was then called Association of professional Accountants and Administrators. When it started, there was no fund on ground to run the institute, so we had to come up with different strategies to make money. I was very instrumental in this regard.

Until about six years ago, I was not thinking about becoming the President. I started noticing politics and all that in the council, which I couldn’t fold my hands as I so detest that. I had thought we had planned succession by seniority in council but that rule was about to be bent with politics, so I fought to say that won’t happen in my lifetime, except if the person whose turn it is refused to take the office. That was when I woke up and said even me, I will join the council and the rest is history today”.

As a go-getter and game changer that she is, she has not disappointed in a short time that she steered the affairs of CITN and after she might have left the office in June, she said: “I would want to be remembered for bringing the institute to a better limelight, that I have taken the Institute to the doorstep of whoever wants to learn or build capacity in taxation and for the surgical restructuring that have positively affected the Institute.”

As an outgoing person, her options for relaxation are not surprising: “I love parties o, and I love to dance too, I dance to both spiritual and secular songs as situations demand. I also love to sing, I hardly pray but I praise. Then I love to swim even till date. I swim most especially when I travel out.”

For the Isale Eko bred accountant, accepting political role will amount to betraying her principle. She exclaimed: “Politics? Nooooo!

What for? I’m not eying any political seat and I won’t even consider accepting any appointment if it comes my way.”

Does that mean she’s unwilling to give her talent to the country? She clarifies: “I will rather serve by being an activist. You know I’m an outspoken person and accepting political role means that I will step on toes. I can’t see anything bad and close my eyes. I will sorosoke (speak loud). So it is better for me to contribute from my background. I can freely criticise in the media.”

20

˜ ˾ FEBRUARY 20, 2021

EVENTS They all looked contented, accomplished and successful as they donned their green cap (aso-ebi uniform) and white apparel thanking Almighty God on behalf of their Alma mater, which has smoothen their paths to success. On Friday February 12, 2021 all roads led to AnsarUd-Deen Society Central Mosque, Surulere, Lagos when Ansar-Ud-Deen High School Old Students’ Association (AHOSA), Falolu, Lagos held a Thanksgiving Service in adherence to COVID-19 Protocols to celebrate 60 years Anniversary of the famous school. It was a moment to reminisce on the good old days and to catch up with old friends as they exchanged banters and gave kudos to the school, the teachers and everyone that moulded their lives to become who they are today. Here are some of the dignitaries that graced the occasion.

L-R: Chairman, The Ansar-Ud-Deen Society, Alhaji Abdulrafiu Saani, Chairman, Organising and planning Committee 60th Anniversary of AHOSA, Alhaji Rafiu Adisa Ebiti and Vice-President, The Ansar-Ud-Deen Society, Alhaji Nurudeen Okuleye

L-R: Former Arabic Studies Teacher of AHOSA, Prof. Raheemson, former Arts Teacher AHOSA, Alhaji Thompson and National President AHOSA, Mr. Rafiu Williams

L-R: State Missioner, The Ansar-Ud-Deen Society, Lagos, Alhaji Thanni, National President, AHOSA, Mr. Rafiu Williams and National Missioner, The Ansar-Ud-Deen Society, Sheikh Abdulrahman Ahmad and Chairman, The Ansar-Ud-Deen Society, Alhaji Rafiu Saani

L-R: Dr. Shehu Akintade, Alhaji Rasheed Ogboye and Alhaji Abdulrafiu Kazeem

L-R: Senior Old Students’: L-R: Alhaji Mustapha Bello, Alhaji Tajudeen Okerinde and Alhaji Saminu Oki

L-R: Alhaji Biliamim Badmus, Alhaja Sururat Ekemode and Alhaji Moukarim Ajileye (a.k.a King of Boys)

L-R: Member, The Ansar-Ud-Deen Society, Ebute Metta Branch, Alhaji Ishaq Alabi, Alhaji Rafiu Adisa Ebiti and Alhaji Niyi Odusanya (from The Ansar-Ud-Deen, Ebute Metta Branch)

L-R: Alhaja Sururat Ekemode, Ms. Toyin Edeale and Alhaja Akamo

21

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ Ͱͮ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

EVENTS

L-R: Alhaji Tayo Lawal, Alhaji K. Salami and Alhaji Mufutau Akarigidi

L-R: Chairman, The Ansar-Ud-Deen, Ebute Metta Branch, Alhaji Niyi Odusanya, National Auditor, The Ansar-Ud-Deen Society, Alhaji M. Adebanjo and National Publicity Secretary, The Ansar-Ud-Deen Society, Alhaji Sola Hassan

L-R: Sheikh Abdulrahman Ahmad, his wife, Hajia Rabiah Ahmad and Imam Abdulquadri Ataragba

Cross Section of AHOSA Members at the Thanksgiving Service

Crsoss Section of AHOSA Members at the Thanksgiving Service

L-R Hon jubril Sasore and professor Raheemson of Lagos State University (LASU)

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ EBRUARY 20, 2021

INTERVIEW Suleiman Ajadi

Lai Mohammed Not Leader of Kwara APC Former Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters to former President Goodluck Jonathan and now a stalwart of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State, Suleiman Makanjuola Ajadi spoke with Hammed Shittu in Ilorin on the ongoing crisis rocking the ruling APC in the state. Ajadi, who represented Kwara South in the 5th Senate, accused the Information and Culture Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed of being the mastermind of the Kwara APC crisis, among other submissions

W

hat went wrong in Kwara APC after the 2019 election victory?

You see, I will categorically tell you that many things went wrong before the election; things went wrong during the campaigns and things went wrong after winning the election. What went wrong before during and after the election are still haunting the party up till now. Before the election, the primaries of the party were like begging people. Just before the primaries, Dr. Bukola Saraki, the former Senate President left the APC and the party became empty. Those remaining were few.

The exit of Dr. Saraki created a big vacuum.

Some of the APC members left behind in the party after Saraki joined the PDP in the state did not have the capacity to win elections in Kwara State, so APC needed people to run the party. The process of bringing members created problems for the party because new members were coming in groups and not as individuals and that is why people are now saying that four tendencies formed the party in the state. Is that normal too? You joined the party as individuals and not as a group. Can’t you see something is wrong? Honestly, something was definitely wrong.

Immediately after the influx of the groups into the APC, primaries were to hold then but there was no executive committee of the party, so they had to put together an adhoc management which produced Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa (BOB) as state caretaker chairman then, just a few weeks to the primary election.

Now, let me tell you, anyone can say anything to the contrary, this BOB was unilaterally imposed on the party as the state caretaker chairman of the party because there was nowhere we debated on who will be the chairman of the APC, there was no place and nobody knew how they arrived at BOB. I was there too, I was a participant, we went to Abuja, the former national chairman of APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole addressed us at the meeting with Information Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed seated beside Comrade Oshiomhole and he said ‘all of you should go back home,’ that is Kwara State, ‘go and bring people as caretaker executive members of the party but the position of the state chairman is already a forgone issue because it is BOB that will occupy the chairmanship position of the party.’ That was what Oshomhole told all of us without consulting any members or leaders of the party in Kwara.

There was no reaction that day because the primary elections of the party was already at the corner and they told us that we must make sure we have executive committee of the party that will conduct the primaries for the party and that after the primary election, the situation would be rectified.

Things still went wrong because the appointment of those Exco members was done at the house of BOB here in Ilorin near my house here in Basin area. Everything was done on his table and he put people he liked as members of the state executive committee of the party. I was not consulted, nobody was contacted, Exco members just imposed on the people just like that. You see, this was also wrong. Even after that, there was going to be primary elections, they did Ad-hoc registration of members and till today nobody has seen the result of the membership registration. Ask anybody to bring the ward register now. It is nowhere to be found. Primary election was conducted on that premise.

On that basis, we went with the primary election, some people are saying the incumbent governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq won the primary election while others say he didn’t win the primary election. It is a fact that nobody knew the numbers of the people on the party register. But by the result of the primary election that was produced by that arrangement, the governor won the primary election of the party. I know how he won in Ifelodun Local Government council. So why are some people now saying the governor did not win the last primary election of the party in the state? If I can accept Senator Lola Ashiru won the primary election, why are they saying now that Governor AbdulRazaq didn’t win the APC primary election now?

After the primaries, Governor AbdulRazaq wanted to launch his campaigns in Baruten Local Government Area of the state.

Arrangements had been made, then, somebody called to inform me that the campaign had been cancelled. I asked why it was cancelled, they said BOB cancelled it and that he has the instruction of the Information and Culture Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed that proper consultation were not done and he said he had not been briefed. What is the business of the minister in cancelling the campaign? The launch that was supposed to be a funfair was cancelled because the minister said he was not aware.

I can tell you that the state chairman of the APC then, BOB didn’t go for most of the campaigns with the governorship candidate then. Can we say everything is alright? I attended the campaigns for over 90 per cent. I was in Baruten, Patigi, Edu and all over Ifeodun LGA. But Alhaji Lai Muhammed never attended the campaigns. Are we saying things are right? All these accounts

state chairman, BOB to be the party chairman from Lagos. Can BOB come from Lagos and clinch APC chairmanship position in Kwara? He has no political clout in Kwara. BOB is a big and prominent politician in Lagos and not in Kwara. Does he know the political terrain in Kwara to just win like that? Lai Mohammed brought him and if you bring somebody, if you tell him to cool down, he will do it and if otherwise he will do it too. But does the state chairman, BOB have the dexterity to be doing what he is doing if he didn’t have the support of Lai Mohammed?

Ajadi are what happened before the elections. That is why I said that things went wrong before the election.

So, what happened after AbdulRahman won the governorship?

The first thing that happened was permutations on who will be what in the new government of Governor AbdulRazaq. Somebody wanted to make his son commissioner, somebody from Lagos wanted to be Chief of Staff and the issue started heating the political space of the state. These people wanted to bring their sons and kinsmen to be appointed from Lagos. The agitation now led to the current explosives in the APC in Kwara. Shortly before the governor Lai Mohammed was claiming to be the leader of the APC in the state but some of us objected to it because we saw the development as an abnormal situation in the party.

A scene played out in Abuja at a ceremony in honour of Lai Mohammed. BOB in his address referred to the Minister as our party leader and everyone could see that the governor was not happy by as a gentleman, he simply smiled. Few minutes later, he got up and left the event with the excuse that he wanted to see Gbemisola Saraki in Abuja.

This misgivings started and they started having divisions within the ruling APC itself and within the party Exco. The people believed Lai Mohammed is not the leader of the party in the state and people started flirting with the governor. The state Exco of the party was also divided into two. About 26 are in one side and 13 others elsewhere. The centre could not hold again.

Everybody started looking for one issue to fight each other such as the issue of campaign funds, vehicles from both sides and this continued like that. At a party meeting at Kwara South senatorial zone (I didn’t attend) but the deputy governor attended and I was told how BOB was saying the governor didn’t do well, that he didn’t give out Ramadan gifts, rams for Sallah. BOB even sent words to the governor at a meeting in Essie town saying, ‘this is not acceptable, he must distribute rams henceforth, tell the governor he is slow.’ The party chairman was saying all these things and the deputy governor, who attended the meeting is still alive.

Is the governor really not carrying people along?

I don’t know the meaning of ‘not carrying people along’. Did they present any project to the governor and the governor just threw it away? I took projects before the governor not all but substantial parts of the projects I took to him were implemented. I took power project to him, I took water, roads projects to him and he did them for me and so I am satisfied. What is the basis of not carrying them along? If people are appointed as special advisers, commissioners, you still complain that the governor didn’t carry you along. How does he carry you along? Do you want him to empty treasury of the state for you?

People believe Lai Mohammed would have stemmed the tide of the crisis in Kwara APC if he had clarified that he isn’t the party leader at the Abuja event and recognised governor as the leader of the party. Apart from this, people believe that he brought the last

Are there no moves for peace in Kwara APC? So many peace efforts were made. I was a member of some of them. There is one headed by one of the Ilorin emirate chiefs, Alhaji Musa Maiyaki. He was the chairman of that one where all the two parties were in attendance. You know I told you that the Exco of the party has been divided into two and they were brought together at Alhaji Maiyaki’s house. I was a member of that committee to resolve the crisis. Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo was supposed to be a member of that committee but he didn’t come to that meeting, If you were there when the state chairman was talking, you will know that it will be impossible for the issue to be resolved. I didn’t say anything, I just sat down and watched his comments and from that day, I knew the issue will not be resolved because if those that are fighting are not tired, then it will be very difficult to settle the crisis. I discovered that BOB is not ready for the peaceful resolution of the issue.

Those that won now should have magnanimity in victory. BOB and other APC leaders that didn’t win should accept defeat and work together with the new chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Samari and the governor. If they don’t there is nothing anyone can do.

If they continue with what they are doing now, it is not going to work. Pushing Samari out will not work; that BoB still laid claim to the position of the state chairman will not work. Everyone can see clearly that the national caretaker committee of APC in Abuja has already endorsed Samari as the state chairman of the party BOB is still claiming that he is the Chairman. BOB was not elected chairman. He was an appointed caretaker chairman and even in law, with my little elementary in law, what you don’t have, you can’t give. You can only give what you have at hand and you can take it back legally. BOB was appointed and not elected and they can take his appointment back at any time. That is what NEC of our party has done; now heaven will not fall and if you don’t accept, the whole world will not collapse. How will the whole world collapse? Was it the first time the chairman of a party will be removed in Nigeria politics? Was Oshiomhole not removed?

During the regime of former president Olusegun Obasanjo how many PDP chairmen were removed? Nothing happened and many others were also removed nothing happened. No local government fell talk less of the whole Nigeria.

Some say your governor is not performing?

The governor has delivered the dividends of democracy to the people of the state. The people of my town will tell you that he has delivered. Let me break the delivery of the dividends of democracy by the governor from senatorial by senatorial in the state. In Kwara Central senatorial district, go inside Ilorin Emirate, you will see many roads that have been tarred and rehabilitated by the governor, they are uncountable. In my area here, Basin, Ilorin, he did road Iinking my house called Taoheed Road. Before the road was a danger one. Go to Anuda Jimoh Road now it has witnessed a face lift. Before now, it was a ditch. The governor did the affected roads in the past one year now. Go to Tanke, Ilorin, when you enter through Fate Roundabout leading to the Tanke University of Ilorin Road, before, that road was not good. The governor has now tarred the road. If you are talking about Basin and Tanke areas now, the governor had done marvelously well. Go to township areas, the governor excelled. You will also see clinics/ health centres and schools. These were executed by the administration in the state. Only blind people will not see the work of the governor.

The schools rehabilitated were also massively done.

In the Kwara North, most of their bad areas have been opened.

During the campaigns for the House of Assembly by election in Patigi State constituency, I went there with the governor and I was happy by the quantum of work that done in Patigi alone and that spread to Kaima, Edu and Baruten axis. Schools, hospitals, roads were done by this administration.

Then to the Kwara South, my senatorial zone; for example my town, Babaloma, had benefited. Go to Share, they have not seen dividends of democracy there for ages. I didn’t say former governor Ahmed did not do anything in Share town but I know about what Governor AbdulRazaq did there. Many were provided with transformers for electricity supply, water supply, schools were turned into model schools within one and half years. Go to Igbaja, their waterworks are now working, go to Okeode, they are in blackout for more than two years now, light has been restored.

Read full interview in www.thisdaylive.com

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPA P PER

FEBRUARY 20, 2021

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPA P PER ˾ EBRUARY 20, 2021

INTERVIEW Babangida Aliyu

Why Should Anybody Be Going Round with AK-47 in Our Country, Why? Former Niger g state Governor Dr. Mu’azu Babangida g Aliyu y speaks p on how he secured Niger g State during g his tenure against g the background g of the ongoing g g insurgency g y in p parts of the state and the country. He tells Laleye Dipo that governments at all levels are not doing enough to tackle the menace

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there should be a window because that is also another level of intelligence. Anytime Gumi meets with these people or negotiate with these people, you come and brief the authorities, but that must not be the issue. You don’t go to negotiate with people when they know your weakness. If a governor takes money to bandits or stands there like an ordinary person, with bandits holding their guns all around him and making him look foolish, that is not negotiation, unless you know more than you are telling us. Yes, using carrot and stick is good but we must be careful who we discuss with.

hat you think about the current security crisis in the country?

The main responsibility of governn ment is securing the lives and property of the people. Their welfare and all other things become secondary. We have seen the result of insecurity where people can no longer go to school, people can no lonn ger go to their farms, people may not do their normal duties, and you cannot even travel from one town to the other. The funniest part of it is when you’re going from Abuja to Kaduna, you go to railway station and see the number of generals (military), the number of military offi fficers, the number of police offficers that are struggling with the common people to enter the train because they are afraid to follow the roads. Virtually in the northern part of the country, there is no road you can say you’re driving safely on, you are either told to drive in the daytime and avoid early morning and also evenings, but that in itself is a failure of the system, it is a failure of the government.

How did you manage the situation in Niger State as governor?

I’ll tell you what happened when we were there. It wasn’t that there were no challenges of insecurity, but for me in Niger State and as a chairman of Northern Governors Forum, I took it as a responsibility. The main duty of governance is to secure the lives and property of my people and I translated it this way, I took ownership of all the federal security establishments, whether they are involved in security of lives, or not, because to me, they are in Niger State to help the people of the state. I am talking about ditto DSS, police, military whether Air Force, or Army.

We established, by law, the vigilante. Why? As I said, that is the major part of governance.

In addition, all the traditional institutions are paid by the government and they have all the paraphernalia of security and Intelligence gathering. At every corner where there are three or four houses, there is a representative of the Emir, from there to Mai Angwa, to Gunduma to village head to district head up to the Emirate council in every place. They know who passes by, who has stayed in one place, who is befriending who, who is sleeping with whose wife. These are all intelligence that you need. So for me, what is happening is becoming so diffi fficult to appreciate or to understand, because with all these things that we have in place, the situation we are in now should not have been allowed to happen. So, when I say I owned all the federal establishments, yes I didn’t have the policeman, but I made sure they were doing what they were sent to Niger State to do. I didn’t have to wait for the federal government to tell me to assist them. I made sure I bought all the equipment that they needed, I made sure that I bought all the vehicles that they needed, I made sure that every time I had insecurity issues I gave them money directly to go and do this and that and I made sure that at any given time when there was any exercise to be carried out I never allowed one half of the security to go and do it alone. No, the military the police the SSS, the Civil Defence will all go together each one carrying out its own responsibilities. Many times I have to hired helicopters to go round where we were having problems, particularly where there are more problems now in Niger State, from Munya, Shiroro Local Government Area and Rafi fi Local Government Area. I have had to send, many at times, helicopters to go around and wherever they saw a group of people, they will go down and fi find out who the people were.

So, the insecurity problem was there even when you were in government?

It was there but it was not to the magnitude that we have today. There were some issues, but I made sure we stationed both military and all those security agencies, and gave them what they require. There is a normal ration for soldiers when you want them to go for a particular exercise, the police and evv erybody. I related very well with the leadership of those agencies so that they understand what you are doing is not partisanship; this is about the protection of lives and property of the people. I established something then that I thought would have continn ued. We had 274 Wards in Niger State and I established what I called Ward Development Projects through that too, because for each ward we select seven people to run the affairs of that ward and we give them money to do other things. I was gathering information also from what they were doing. Remember the infamous or famous Mokwa issue in 1991. I understood from what I read in the fi files that about nine people went to a village in Mokwa, and asked the village head to give them a place because they wanted to farm and also do their religious activities. By

Do you support amnesty for repentant bandits?

Depending on the process that they repented, because there is repentance as a result of the realisation that what you have been doing was wrong, and then you must understand what brought that change, not because people have found it diffi fficult to do what they were doing, they say we repent, and we now give them amnesty. No, when they regroup they will go back again. We must be careful. I noticed what is happening also with the Boko Haram amnesty or rehabilitation. You cannot rehabilitate or give amnesty to the kind of person you have not been able to underr stand. What made him to be doing what he was doing? So yes, as a concept, that is very good, as a concept, we will encourage that, but in the fi first place, why should anybody go round with AK47 in our country, why?

Aliyu 2007 when I arrived, there were over 5,000 people in that place and they had constituted themselves into what you can call a republic. In fact, they were calling themselves Darusalam. They were so cocooned that unless you are a member you will not be there. Any armed robbery on the Mokwa-Kaduna Road, anything that was happening there, was linked to them. I read in the fi files when two Immigration offficers that were sent there on investigation became their members. They were going around stealing people’s wives and children and they have their own lives different believing that anybody that was not a part of them is not a Muslim. I discovered that many governors tried to dislodge them, but anytime they were either brought to Abuja or elsewhere they went back to Mokwa stronger. I was lucky when I discovered what was happening. We went to take the census of everybody, and I discovered more than 60% of them were not Nigerians. Even the ones that were Nigerians, not up to 10% were from Niger State. I called the northern governors meeting and I told all the governors that I was going to disperse all these people, but because of their belief system they should never allow them to congregate in one place. I got the support of the President the late Umaru Yar’adua, the then national Security adviser and it was a joint operation. I compensated everybody; these more than 5,000 people, the ones that I had to take to the border, people from Mali and co, I took them by buses and handed them their compensation and they moved on. As for the ones from other states of Nigeria, I called the governors and handed them over and it worked beautifully well.

What is the way out of the security crisis?

The way out for the moment and for me is education, and enlightenment. The campaign is not going to be the normal one, where you go to the town and have rallies; you now have to go to the nooks and crannies of the society to the house of people to enlighten them as to what is happening on the ground and what they can do to save themselves. If you don’t do that, because many people easily give up. Many people think what is happening to them is because God is punishing them. Those of us who understand these things must go out there, regardless of the consequences or whatever to enlighten the people so that they can now appreciate that now the action is in their hands.

Sheikh Gumi is in the forefront of dialoguing with some bandits, is this nice step to take?

Look in every issue, particularly the situation we are in now, there is the need to use the stick and carrot, but people who would want to engage in that, what is their moral standing, what is their stake and do they even understand what is happening?

We need more of stick now than the carrot, you use the carrot more after you are beginning to defeat the so called enemies, to bring him back because the whole idea is not to annihilate him. For me, whether Gumi succeeds or not is not the issue but

Do you support the Governors Forum’s decision that there should be a ban on open grazing?

This is a decision we took between 2008 and 2009. So, I am happy that they have come round now to the same decision. If you look at the nature of herding that they are involved in now, it is even a waste of resources. You take a cow from Birnin Kebbi to Calabar on foot, before you get there even the meat has become strong. All over the world now, it is only in West Africa and some parts of East Africa that are still doing open cattle herding.

When we were in the Governors Forum, we took this position for ranching. In fact, at that time, even the Minister of Agriculture who is now the President of the African Development Bank had everything in place, but when the new government came they threw it out and came up with what they call Ruga and now they are back to the ranch. Still people need to be assisted because there are still problems on the ground, particularly involving even those Fulani who are peaceful. We need to sit down, every state must look at its own peculiarities and work out the land tenure system for the Fulani, of farmers and co, and must begin to give certifi ificate so that people can use it as collateral to really become more mechanised in the country.

Without being dubbed as interloper, will you support the ongoing revalidation/registration of members by APC? I think whatever it is that they are doing, they probably got it wrong or maybe they are confi nfirming to us that all along they had no registered members of the party, and that it is now they are going to have it, or like others are saying, maybe they are using it to sift and remove supporters of other people. Whatever it is, if they call it revalidation that may be fi fine, but if they use it only to lie about their figures, because I’ve seen them already saying they are the largest party in Africa. We have seen where they have started registering children. I don’t know what that will serve because party registration is separate from voter registration and I don’t believe that other parties will be so useless as to allow one particular party no matter what its strength, no matter what its resources, no matter what level of corruption, will allow such to beat everybody. So, let them do whatever they want to do maybe they have nothing else to do. You see they don’t have a structure; everything is caretaker from the ward to the national. In other words, we actually don’t have APC on the ground in real fact and by law.

People have suggested that Rivers State Governor Nyesome Wike has hijacked the PDP. What do you think?

I don’t know about hijacking the party. I think maybe because he talks a lot, maybe that is why people are little concerned about what he says. There is no one person that can hijack a party. The worst thing that can happen is you hijack, I leave you, ok. I am not bound by you, I am bound to the party because of my choice, and I am sure some of us, if we say today because somebody has worsened the situation for us, we are leaving, then many people will leave. So for me, I don’t see it that way, I see it as he is preparr ing way for negotiation in the future.

Read full interview in www.thisdaylive.com

24

˜ ˾ FEBRUARY 20, 2021

MEDIAGAFFES

EXPRESSION

BY

EBERE WABARA

‘Advice’ Uncountable

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OU are welcome today: “…a chapter that eventually brought me into what has stock (stuck) as my life (life’s) identity, journalism.”

“Farmers-herders crisis: Uzodinma, Bagudu, Badaru seek unity, peaceful co-existence” Challenges of insecurity: Farmers, herders’ crisis “We appreciate all you do, through your sound teachings and advices, to see leaders and businesses achieve their full potentials while contributing positively to humanity.” (Full-page congratulatory advertorial by Oxford Group, THISDAY, February 6) A rewrite: We appreciate all you do, through your sound teaching (uncountable) and pieces of advice (non-count), to see leaders and businesses achieve their full potential (potentialities or potential, which abhors inflection)….

“Sunsets for veteran journalist, irrepressible politician” Get it right: Sunset for veteran journalist or sun sets for…If Prince Tony Momoh were to be alive, he would have chastised the headline caster!

“EFCC grills varsity VC over alleged N260m contract scam” (News around the city, February 3) ‘Varsity VC’ smacks of stark illiteracy! Do we have VCs in other institutions apart from universities?

“Abubakar, former NAF Chief (another comma) fly (flies) out of service” (Source: as above) “…on the loss of our bossom (bosom) friend and brother…a (an) honest and seasoned technician and administrator” “2023: Can the opposition seize the opportunity?”

From the other side: you take (not seize) opportuu nity. ‘Seize opportunity’ is a piece of Americanism.

“N23bn monthly allocation crash inter-bank rates” Business English: allocation crashes.

“2023: Anglican bishop wants vigilante groups to help policemen protect ballot boxes” In the interest of eschatology: vigilance group.

“Today, it is becoming increasing (increasingly)

clearer that a free and fair election is possible in Nigeria….” This is sheer cerebral infantilism! “…this he applied in fighting the cause of oppressed (the oppressed). He was Igbo (an Igbo) leader.” “Itse Sagay accuses Supreme Court justices of setting bad precedence in the country’s judicial history.” There is a morphological distinction between ‘precedence’ and ‘precedent’, which applies to the extract.

“Economics, as if the poor matters!” Voice of the nation: the poor matter!

“Before independence, you don’t lobby to (sic) made a judge.” Get it right: you didn’t lobby to be made a judge.

From this medium a fortnight ago comes the next farcical entry: “Are the leaders calling for prayers so that we learn not to kill ourselves….”

Truth in defence of freedom: we learn not to kill one another. “…it was common (a common) sight to see a classroom crowded with between 150-200 children….” Either: between 150 and 200 or from 150 to 200 (depending on context). No mix-up.

“The grassroot man of Oyo politics” Basic knowledge: grassroots man.

“We invested heavily on their training and welfare and so should be told what led to their death….” Ejigbo crash: we invested heavily in their training….

“Festo, as I use (used) to call him….”

“The church…was filled to capacity last weekk end shortly before the lockdown as….” We cannot mention ‘capacity’ when a hall is filled as that fact is implied. According to my copious dictionaries and reference books on the English language, fill means “to occupy the whole space of….” This also applies to “filled to the brim”, et al.

“What the church has joined together…”

Ancient English: joined together. Modern version: joined. “In the area of health, Aliyu has moved in to reduce maternal mortality through the introduction of anti-natal (what!) care for pregnant

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

women….” “…ante-natal for pregnant women….”?

Should it have been for which other women or, worse still, men?

“Petrol tanker crushes 1 to death” Even a learner’s dictionary will educate you on the fatalistic nature of “crushing”. So, the tanker crushes one.

And in headline casting, numbers one to nine are written in words, while 10 and above are written in figures.

“The statistics are here, I can give it to you.”

Back to school: I can give them to you, No discord, please. “…multiple allocations which has (sic) lingered for over 10 years is (sic) finally put to rest.” No further comment.

“Of all the first generation (a hyphen, please) universities, OAU is arguably the one that was able to preserve its known ideology for the longest.”

I do not agree with the usage of “arguably” by a majority of Nigerian writers. The explanation I got from one of the country’s frontline editors recently was not convincing: when you have points to justify your claims, it becomes arguable and when there are no justifications, you employ “unarguably.” If you are sure of your statement, make it declarative by jettisoning “arguably.” And if you are unsure, do not make claims. If you do, be ready to argue it elsee where when confronted (not in your contribution).

For the avoidance of doubt, “arguable” (adjective) and its adverb (arguably) mean: ”…for which good, if not necessarily convincing, reasons may be found/open to doubt/not certainly, but reasonably held to be.” (Source: THE NEW LEXICON WEBSTER’S DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, 2018) My grouse about this excerpt is the intrinsic element of doubt. “…Guinea finally elects a president in an election that witnessed series of crises and postponements.”

The long road to democracy: a series of crises and postponements.

“In one breathe, there are those who are still….”

Take a fresh breath before we continue.

“…it was a soothing balm.” What else do balms do apart from soothing?

“It is however a consensus opinion that the home, that is parents, should bear the prime responsibility of introducing the subject.” For grammatical sanity, jettison ‘opinion’ from the extract. “The occasion was held in Victoria Island.”

Get it right: on Victoria Island.

“The accused policeman was said to have actually demanded for N10,000 before he was….”

Simply delete ‘for’ from the excerpt.

“Bishop advocates for more states” ‘Advocacy’ in the verbal context does not take ‘for’.

“Two arrested over heroin seizure at Lagos Port” Very soon, I will arrest THISDAY editors for (not over) juvenile mistakes. “…she opens up on how she gained entry into the world of make-belief….” Grammar is not make-believe. “…the food situation in the continent….”

Classical writing: on the continent “Conspicuously absent at the wedding reception was former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida and his children….” Three issues: ‘Conspicuously absent’ is sheer illiteracy! (Absent at the….). ‘Military president’ can only come from a confused head. We can talk of military leader or military ruler (not the contradictory and vexatious extract). Finally, IBB and his children deserve plural treatment (were, not was).

“Producing ice-blocks without tears” (English without tears: ice cubes (not blocks).

“Unfortunately, the reality in Nigeria today is: who will throw the first stone?” The hard fact: cast the first stone.

“Customs intercept tanker load (what happened to the hyphen?) of drugs” The Nigeria Customs Service is an entity. So, NCS intercepts…

NEXT WEEK: Professorial and doctoral interventions, among others.

Putting Climate Change at the Center of COVID-19 - 9 Recovery Plan Sam Onuigbo

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he world is in an unprecedented time as it grapples with the scourge and consequences brought upon it by COVID-19 pandemic. This pandemic has exacerbated the existing socio-economic and environmental challenges faced by the world and more importantly in developing countries. The virus has continued to spread – and the spread has entered multiple phases across the globe as it wreaks havoc on global economies with a huge effect on African countries. Many countries especially in Africa have embarked on economic recovery plans to recover better and create a buffer that will stimulate rapid economic growth and recovery across all sectors. I am delighted that Nigeria, through the leadership of the President has also put forward a bold economic plan for recovery in the form of the Nigerian Economic and Sustainability Plan (NESP).

Before COVID-19 shocked the world, the Nigerian government had in place, the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) which was targeted to run between 2017 and 2020. The plan was meant to provide a buffer to the already fragile economy and highly constrained fiscal space. The ERGP highlighted a number of initiatives and projects that were consistent with the effort to tackle climate change and other environmental issues in the country. These include the Great Green Wall initiative to address land degradation and desertification, and support communities adapting to climate change; implement environmental initiatives, and continuation of the Ogoni Land cleanup while reducing gas flaring. It also sets a target to raise a Green Bond to finance environmental projects while establishing one forest plantation in each state. The ERGP also planned to rehabilitate all forest reserves and national parks to enhance eco-tourism as it establishes a functional database on drought and desertification while encouraging and promoting the development of green growth initiatives.

Although COVID-19 may have slowed down economic growth, it is still important that action on climate change and other environmental issues are not reversed as the country charts a course for economic recovery. The world has coined the term “build back better” as a means of making the point

Minister of Environment, Mahmood

that governments around the world should use the opportunity of rebooting their economies from the impact of Covid-19 as a means to also take action on climate change and put their economies on the path to long term sustainability. I am delighted that the government has demonstrated vision and leadership in this regard. It is heartwarming to see that many of the key projects in the Nigerian Economic and Sustainability Plan have the potential, if implemented in a good faith, to enhance green recovery in the country. These include the mass agricultural programme, road construction using indigenous materials, mass housing Programme, the 5million Home Solar Power, SME/MSMEs Support, Survival fund, Promoting domestic gas utilization and digital technology and social intervention programme. On the other hand,

it should be stressed that climate change also has multi-dimensional security implications and that the failure to address these security issues will hinder our ability to build back better.

The Nigerian government is also working very hard to revise and enhance its national climate change pledge through the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC). Through an ambitious NDC, the government will continue to demonstrate leadership in determination to tackle climate change which, like the Covid-19 can be a major constraint to economic growth. Connecting the NDC with the National Economic and Sustainability Plan will help to maximize the synergies and ensure that our recovery plan also helps us to meet our Paris Climate Accord Obligations.

I am delighted that in the recently launched “2021 Macroeconomic Outlook Report” by the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) - a non-profit, non-partisan private-sector-led think tank with a mandate to promote and champion the reform of the Nigerian economy into an open, globally competitive economy, it has been identified that renewable energy sector is one of the key sectors that can act as enablers for the intended recovery.

Other sectors include manufacturing, construction, trade, education, health, and professional services with ICT. The Leadership of the (Federal) House of Representatives has also shown dynamism and commitment to work with the Executive branch of the government to promote legislation and policies that will facilitate the recovery along the lines that are just, equitable and sustainable in the long run.

It is very important therefore that our international development partners recognize the commitment of the government, enormous work before us, and make available substantial resources that can help developing countries to scale up their effort to put climate change at the center of green recovery. It should be remembered that while Africa is one of the vulnerable continents to climate change it has contributed the least to the problem. It is therefore in the interest of equity and global solidarity that the industrialized countries do their bit to help us respond and adapt to the impact of climate change.

Hon Sam Onuigbo, Fmr Chairman, House Committee on Climate Change is the Vice President (Africa) GLOBE International and also Chairman, Climate Parliament Nigeria.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ EBRUARY 20, 2021

POLITY Obinwanne Okeke also known as Invictus Obi, on Tuesday, was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment after being found guilty of an internet fraud in the United States, writes Charles Ajunwa

Invictus Obi Goes to Jail

T

he saying that “every day is for the thief, one day is for the owner of the house” really played out in the case of Invictus Obi whose real name is Obinwanne Okeke. Before his ordeal, the name Invictus Obi rings a bell especially among the elites.

Quite early in life, he carved a niche for himself as a successful entrepreneur with interests in oil and gas, agriculture, private equity, alternative energy, telecom and real estate. The Anambra-born entrepreneur became a role model to many young entrepreneurs aspiring to be like him in the art of doing business. Okeke, who operated his holdings under the ‘Invictus Group’ in Nigeria, South Africa and Zambia, also appeared on the covers of many international magazines and cable television networks, talking about entrepreneurship. In 2016, Okeke was recognised by Forbes International as one of Africa’s most outstanding 30 entrepreneurs under the age of 30 and he was described by the magazine as “proof that there is hope for Africa.”

After years of living in deceit, Okeke’s true identity was busted on August 6, 2019, when he was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents at the Dulles International Airport as he was about to leave the United States, and charged with two counts of computer fraud and wire fraud in the United States. Okeke and his syndicates according to charges against them had defrauded American citizens up to $11m “through fraudulent wire transfer instructions in a massive, coordinated, business e-mail compromise scheme.”

The FBI had initiated investigations after Unatrac lodged a complaint in June 2018 stating that they believed they had been compromised. Okeke was said to have used phishing emails to gain unauthorised access to the email account of the CFO of Unatrac Holding Limited, the UK Export Sales office for Mantrac Group, a subsidiary of American construction and mining equipment manufacturer Caterpillar Inc. In April 2018, a Unatrac executive was said to have fallen prey to a phishing email that allowed conspirators to capture login credentials. The conspirators sent fraudulent wire transfer requests and attached fake invoices. Okeke and his cohorts accessed the CFO’s office 365 account 464 times between April 6 and April 20, 2018, mostly from IP addresses located in Nigeria, from where they sent fraudulent wire transfer from the account to Unatrac’s financial team. The finance team at Unatrac processed 15 payments to overseas accounts, totaling $11 million most of which couldn’t be recovered by the time the company discovered the fraud. But on August 7, 2019, Obi pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Department of Justice, Central District of California on

Invictus Obi August 22, 2019, released a statement indicting 80 Nigerians supposedly connected to a syndicate that had ties to Okeke. The case which was given accelerated trial continued on 18, 2020, when the Department of Justice released a statement stating that Okeke had pleaded guilty to the charges against him. Okeke in a statement of facts submitted by his attorneys to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, owned up to his involvement in the case brought against him, saying it was “undertaken knowingly, intentionally and unlawfully and not as a result of an accident, mistake or other innocent reason.” He was said to have waived his right to appeal and agreed to forfeit all interests in any fraud-related assets. The weighty evidence brought against Okeke by the FBI was enough to nail him as his hired attorneys failed to exonerate him from the two counts charges against him.

Expectedly, on February 16, 2021, Okeke was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison in the United States. Acting U.S. Attorney, Raj Parekh, for the Eastern District of Virginia, deservedly served justice to Okeke who through his actions wrecked many homes and organisations. Parekh, who described Okeke’s sentencing as precedential, said “Through subterfuge and impersonation, Obinwanne Okeke engaged in a multi-year global business email and computer hacking scheme that caused a staggering $11 million

loss to his victims.

“Today’s sentence further demonstrates EDVA’s and FBI’s worldwide reach in vigorously pursuing justice on behalf of American victims and others and holding international cybercriminals accountable, no matter where they commit their crimes.”

Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office, Brian Dugan, said cybercriminals would continue to be smoked out and held responsible for their actions.

“The FBI will not allow cyber criminals free rein in the digital world to prey on U.S. companies. This sentencing demonstrates the FBI’s commitment to working with our partners at the Department of Justice and our foreign counterparts to locate cybercriminals across the globe and bring them to the United States to be held accountable.”

The FBI in 2019, received nearly 24, 000 complaints about Business Email Compromise scams, with losses totaling S1.7 billion for an average loss of about $72,000, according to FBI Internet Crime Report. Nigerian government’s cooperation through its anti-corruption agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) helped in no small measure in the comprehensive conclusion of the fraud charges brought against Okeke by the U.S. Justice Department.

It would be recalled that the EFCC on November 21, 2019, secured an order of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos for the final forfeiture of N280, 555, 010 belonging to two companies owned

by Okeke. The companies are: Invictus Oil and Gas Limited and Invictus Investment Limited. This followed a motion filed and argued by counsel to EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo, and on its strength Justice Rilwan Aikawa gave the order of final forfeiture. Oyedepo had prayed the court to grant the application for final forfeiture having met all requirements set by the court. According to him, “there are no interested party or parties nor individuals who have shown cause why the money should not be finally forfeited.”

EFCC Investigator, Ariyo Muritala, in an affidavit filed in support of the forfeiture application, disclosed that the Commission’s investigation was triggered by a request for information on Okeke and three others by the United States Department of Justice, Office of the Legal Attache, US Consulate General.

Okeke, who holds a Master’s degree in International Business and Counter-Terrorism from Monash University, Australia, through his conviction and sentencing in the United States brought shame to his family in particular and Nigeria at large. As he goes to jail, Okeke’s 10 years sentencing should serve as a big lesson to those that still indulge in cybercrime that their days are numbered. When the long arm of the law finally catches up with such people like in the case of Okeke, their wickedness will be visited upon them.

PHOTO NEWS

L-R: Group Head, Corporate Services, Hope PSBank, Cletus Igah; Managing Director, Hope PSBank, Ayotunde Kuponiyi; Chief Marketing Officer, Hope PSBank, Kathleen Erhimu; and Group Head, Corporate Communications, Unified Payment Services Limited, Felix Edionwe, during the press conference to kick start the free registration exercise for National Identification Number (NIN) by Hope PSBank in Lagos...recently SUN-

L-R: Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Dr. Bashir Jamoh; Group Executive Vice Chairman, SIFAX Group, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi; Executive Director, Operations, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Mr. Shehu Ahmed; and Executive Director, SIFAX Off Dock, Captain Ibrahim Olugbade, during the courtesy visit by SIFAX Group’s Management team to the NIMASA DG at the Agency’s head office at Apapa, Lagos…recently

L-R: Director-General, Nigeria America Chamber of Commerce, Sola Obadimu; Vice President, NACC, Ehi Braimah; National President, NACC, Otunba Oluwatoyin Akomolafe; and Chairman, Programmes Committee, NACC, Dame Adebola Williams, at the flag-off of the Chamber’s 60th anniversary celebration and unveiling of Logo in Lagos...recently

Director General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe (right) presenting a souvenir to Director General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Mallam Yakubu ibn Mohammed (left), when the NCAC boss paid a courtesy visit on his counterpart at NTA headquarters, Abuja...recently

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ FEBRUARY 20, 2021

POLITY

Ogun Farmers/Herders Clash: Laying Foundation for Peace Kayode Gabriel

T

he timely intervention of the Ogun State Government to reduce tension between farmers and herders in some parts of Ogun West is a turning point in the search for lasting truce. The step has elicited excitement and accolades. The deployment of conflict resolution mechanisms geared towards thawing the frosty relationship between the feuding parties has offered hope of a better deal. In the last one week, there have been gory tales of wanton attacks in some parts of Ketu-speaking communities (Ogun West) that share borders with the Republic of Benin. To a large extent, the events have left a sour taste in the mouths of many.

Within a week, entire communities, namely Eggua, Iselu, OrileIgbooro, Ijaka, Agbon-Ojodu, Igan-Alade, Asa, Ohunbe, Ibaayun, Ibeku, Oja Odan and other adjoining villages (all in Yewa North Local Government Area) and Imeko, in Imeko-Afon Local Government Area, came under scathing attacks by killer Fulani herdsmen who laid a siege to the communities and unleashed mayhem. In the ensuing melee, no fewer than 12 persons lost their lives, while several houses were torched by the rampaging assailants.

But when it became apparent that the situation remained unabated despite several dispute resolution mechanisms earlier put in place, and without hope in sight, the Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, was left with no other option but to personally carry out an on-the-spot assessment tour of the trouble spots on Monday, February 15, 2021.

On the entourage were the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Mr Edward Ajogun; the State Director, Department of State Service (DSS), Mr David Tuska; Commander, 35 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Alamala, Abeokuta, Brig-Gen Joseph Amadasun, and other heads of paramilitary agencies. Also with the governor were the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle; the Eselu of Iselu, Oba Ebenezer Akinyemi, and other top government functionaries.

The governor, who shared the pains of the victims, promised adequate security of lives and property and compensation for the victims of the attacks. He sued for restraint, peace, patience and caution in the face of provocation. While denouncing violence in any form, he noted that the state had been a haven to people from other ethnic nationalities and foreigners for ages. He condemned the activities of some bad elements, who he said had come to stoke violence and sow seeds of discord among the citizens of the state.

To stave off renewed attacks, Abiodun quickly set up a Special Joint Security Task Force comprising soldiers, police, civil defence and local hunters to mount a permanent base in the affected Ketu-speaking communities. He also saw to the procurement of operational vehicles for their use. Certainly, Abiodun was conscious of the ill-wind that the attacks would have blown if the situation had not been swiftly nipped in the bud. In some quarters, the attacks had taken on political

undertones, as traducers sought to downplay Abiodun’s efforts. This was a litmus test for the governor and he has passed. In the pursuit of representative, inclusive, responsive and responsible governance, Abiodun demonstrated unwavering commitment. He expressed his belief in the engagement of stakeholders to find lasting solution to the farmers/herders clashes.

At a well organised and elaborate event tagged “Ogun State Government Stakeholders Parley on Farmers/Herders Conflict”, held on Tuesday, February 16, 2021, at Oba’s Complex, Governor’s Office, Okemosan, Abeokuta, and attended by the governors of Ondo, Niger, Kebbi, Zamfara and Kano states, traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth organisations’ representatives and other stakeholders, the Ogun State helmsman noted with displeasure, the attacks on the host communities by some foreigners who sneaked in at night, wreaked havoc and retreated after their evil acts.

Abiodun averred: “In whatever form, colour or ethnic group, a criminal is a criminal. We condemn all forms of crimes and criminality, regardless of the ethnicity of the perpetrators. It has become worrisome that the people who had co-existed peacefully for ages are suddenly at each other’s throat on account of sources of livelihood. From time immemorial, farmers and herders have peacefully co-habited. They have continued to find joint solutions to their mutual challenges, occasional frictions and misunderstandings and have sorted these differences, amicably. However, these misapprehensions took a violent dimension in the last couple of weeks. We have had cases of arson, maiming and killings in extreme instances.

“The question is: what could have turned issues that hitherto had easy and workable templates for resolutions to suddenly become seemingly intractable? And more worrisome is that it is taking an ethnic colouration. These are some of the questions we must find answers to, at this parley. We must not only find solutions, but we must also come up with more practical recommendations towards finding lasting solutions. As an administration, we have not folded our arms. Even before now, we have always been methodical, inclusive, responsible and responsive in our approach to governance.”

By and large, he reinforced the commitment and resolve of the administration to finding lasting solutions to the crisis. He set up a fact-finding team comprising the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Mr. Sola Subair (retd AIG), two commissioners, the heads of security agencies in the state and local stakeholders, including traditional rulers, lawmakers from the affected areas, youth representatives, opinion holders, religious leaders amongst others. He also ensured the deployment of a special security task force.

The governor, however, advocated peaceful co-existence among farmers, cattle owners, herders, local community leaders, security agents and other stakeholders, harping on the need for collective actions in a bid to rid the state of the unwholesome activities of criminals.

In his welcome address, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Tokunbo Talabi, stated that the parley was aimed at fostering

Abiodun peace, growth and development of Ogun State. According to him, the recent clashes in Yewaland had become worrisome, having taken on an ethnic dimension. “This administration is poised to continue promoting peaceful co-existence. We need to continue to respect and listen to each other and open lines of communication, because in unity lies our strength. We have taken into consideration the recent security challenges in the country which have impeded our socio-economic growth and development,” he said.

Nonetheless, various discussants at the event laid the blame of the recent attacks on the doorsteps of foreign Fulani pastoralists whose identities could be tracked based on the languages that they speak whenever they are accosted. Ogun State Chairman, Farmers Association of Nigeria, Prince Olusegun Dasaolu, commended the Dapo Abiodun administration for the enthronement of an enabling environment for farmers to thrive in the state. He recalled the days of yore when farmers and herders had lived peacefully in the state, devoid of any act of provocation.

Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

Federal Character Commission Needs Character

I

Darlington Nwuko

saw a disturbing picture of a well-dressed lady on social media,

standing on one of the streets of Maitama, Abuja, literally pleading to Nigerians to rescue her from acute joblessness.

An obvious frustrated young woman, who happens to be a graduate in International Relations, pinned the placard on her chest with boldly writing inscription: “I need a job”. This is the height of desperation and despondency in the country. That picture has been trending on social media since; making her the new symbol of frustration and despondency amongst young Nigerians looking for jobs for years, albeit without results.

Unfortunately, less than a year after it was constituted, the present Federal Character Commission (FCC), is already teetering on the brink of moral collapse, as a result of myriad of allegations of corruption, brazen impunity, and executive recklessness allegedly bedeviling the Commission’s leadership. The details of the rut is not even coming from some nosy or busy-body journalists. They are being served the public by members of the Commission themselves.

Nigerians were shocked a few weeks ago when over twenty Commissioners of the Commission wrote a strong-worded petition against its executive Chairman, Muheeba Farida Dankaka, detailing alleged gross incompetence, abuse of office and sheer malfeasance, bordering on job racketeering, lopsided recruitment, extra-budgetary spending and indiscriminate grant of recruitment waivers to Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in total breach of the Act establishing the Commission. But the Commission has denied all the allegations.

The FCC was established to ensure equitable distribution of job opportunities and infrastructural facilities across the length and breath of the country. These are two core mandates of the Commission, according to the Act that birthed it. Every other responsibility as stipulated in the Act can be deemed secondary. The essence of the Commission is to ensure that no state of the federation is sidelined in the scheme of recruitments, project distribution, etcetera. The Commission has the power to sanction any MDA that violates these provisions.

What happens when the Chairman of the Commission is alleged to be brazenly abusing the core mandate establishing the Commission? It is a case of an arbiter that is entrusted with the constitutional responsibility to supervise other MDAs, now entrapped in a war of attrition with majority of Commissioners as a result of gross leader-

ship failure and insufferable misconduct? Even the dog, a renowned bone-eater does not eat one hung around its neck, thus entrusted to it.

When any of the MDAs goes against federal character in its dealings, it is the job of FCC to call the agency to order. What becomes of the integrity and reputation of the Commission when its leadership has been scandalized in the media as enabling impunity and executive rascality as regards federal character principles? If the foundation of justice be destroyed, what then shall the righteous do, the Holy Scriptures ask.

If there could be lopsided appointments cum employments in FCC—making nonsense of principles of federal character, as echoed by many Commissioners in their evidence-loaded petitions, what moral impetus does Dankaka-led Commission have to query any government MDA that tows the same path of infamy hinged on impunity and injustice?

A situation where the Chairman’s senatorial zone in Kwara State has gotten more job slots via the Commission than the entire South-East zone put together; in just one year of her stewardship, what character then is there in federal character? Is it “senatorial” character?

This injustice must not be allowed to stand. Otherwise, the whole aim of the Commission would have been defeated. Water is used to wash out dirt, but when water gets polluted, it loses its ability to salvage others. If the salt loses its saltines, the Scriptures says; it is of no use again and is only befitting of the dustbin. This is the sorry state the Commission got pigeonholed in because of one person’s alleged parochialism and incompetence.

The growing pains of mass unemployment in the land and scorching frustrations among the youth are enough embarrassment for us as a nation. But for the Chairman of the FCC—an institution that is charged with the responsibility of ensuring the even distribution of the available job opportunities to Nigerians to be caught in the eye of a whirlwind of corruption allegations; some of them bordering on job racketeering and black market recruitment, is dumbfounding.

The fog of doubt, haze of mistrust and ambience of bad blood have taken over the Commission. This is ensuing when frustrated Nigerian graduates have become dangerously and pathetically desperate to beg for jobs on the road, like street urchins begging for alms. What a pity!

Just imagine the trauma millions of Nigerian-job-seeking graduates are going through reading these allegations of job racketeering and lopsided recruitment against Muheeba Dankaka. I can read

the line of thoughts that raced through their agitated minds: “Jobs meant for us are being sold to the highest bidder”, “E no go beta for una”. This is the kind of ignominious stories that enrage Nigerian youths to the point of hitting the streets in mass protests reminiscent of #ENDSARS protests.

Many Nigerians like me would not have picked interest in this story if these mind-boggling allegations were raised by one or two commissioners of the Commission. I would have dismissed them as “aggrieved” or “disgruntled” commissioners. But a situation where over twenty (20) Commissioners, out of Thirty-seven, rose in one voice against their Chairman, less than one year after they were sworn-in, naturally raises genuine concern among Nigerians. It gives calls for urgent intervention to arrest whatever impunity and venality that must have been taken to stratospheric level under the watch of the current leadership of the Commission.

The Commissioners’ squabble with the Chairman is not good for the Commission and Nigeria. When two elephants are fighting at FCC, Nigerian job seekers and responsibilities of the Commission will continue to suffer.

National Assembly, especially Senate, has started probing these weighty allegations against the head of the Commission. But while it is a good step in the right direction, the FCC under the supervision of Muheeba Dankaka, has become morally wounded and organizationally disoriented to continue to function effectively in carrying out its constitutional responsibility. Some piqued Nigerians, who are not happy with the unpalatable stories from the organization, are of the school of thought that the embattled chairman should be excused from the office while the investigation lasts.

The Commission as at today, is not only hopscotching and fiddling but has lost direction, as a result of internal crisis ignited by lack of patriotic cum pragmatic leadership.

Therefore, beyond the Senate’s efforts, the onus is on President Buhari to act decisively in order to rescue the Commission before it loses what still remains of its credibility. The interest of an individual (Chairman) cannot override that of twenty commissioners—representing different States of the federation, especially when national interest bordering on equity, justice and unity, is at stake.

By the way, Muheeba Farida Dankaka should not have been appointed Chairman in the first place, having come from Kwara State in North Central because the Secretary of the Commission is from Taraba State in North East.

Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 24, 2011

GLOBAL SOCCER A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

20.02.2021

3

NEWS

ITS THE 289TH MERSEYSIDE DERBY PAGE. 29

Umar Sadiq

Marshalling Almeria’s Promotion Push

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺ͸, 2021

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GLOBAL SOCCER

Umar Sadiq galloping towards the goal

Umar Sadiq Marshalling Almeria’s Promotion Push With 11 goals in his kitty and his club- UD Almeria currently third in the Spain’s second tier table, Nigerian U-23 star Umar Sadiq is leading the Rojiblancos push to the LaLiga Santander

U

mar Sadiq has set LaLiga SmartBank, Spain’s second tier, on fire this season and is propelling his side to the big time promotion .

UD Almeria haven’t been in Spain’s top division since the 2014/15 season, but the club from the Southern City are serious contenders for promotion in 2020/21.

The Kaduna-born striker, their towering 24-year-old Nigerian forward, is perhaps the most important factor in their push and with 11 Segunda goals this season has propelled the club into third place in the LaLiga SmartBank.

Sadiq’s presence in Almeria is down to the sporting project laid out by Turki Al-Sheikh, who took over the club in 2019.

The club is committed to signing some of the best talents around whether from Spain or abroad. They are currently the second youngest squad in the division, yet also one of the most valuable. Having just turned 24, Sadiq is oddly enough one of the oldest in the squad.

He’s also one of the club’s most expensive ever signings, after his multi-million Euro transfer from Partizan Belgrade last

summer. There was a lot of pressure on his shoulders this season with a lot expected of him but he is thriving.

Born in Kaduna, Nigeria, Sadiq came through the Future of Africa Football Academy and the Football College Abuja on his way to the top. He made the move to Europe first to Italy, joining the Spezia youth academy and then on to Roma, who he debuted for and scored for at the age of 18.

A series of loans followed as he went in search of first team minutes to fellow Italian sides Bologna and Torino, Dutch side NAC Breda, Scotland’s Rangers, Perugia back in Italy, and Partizan Belgrade in Serbia.

With so much upheaval at such a young age, it was tough for Sadiq to truly settle, but he finally found stability in Belgrade and produced an incredibly impressive 23 goals and 19 assists for the Serbian club in just 52 matches.

His talent was obvious to see, and he was quickly snapped up by Almeria to bring him to LaLiga – a league which has embraced African talent to the full over the decades. At Almería, he is experiencing a different footballing culture and continues to thrive.

As well as being the side’s top scorer, Sadiq is currently the third-top scorer in the whole division and was named the LaLiga SmartBank Player of the Month for January just a few days ago.

He’s also shone against bigger opposition, scoring a brace as Almeria dismantled top tier side “We have a lot of confidence in him,” says Almeria coach Jose Manuel Gomes of Sadiq. “He’s a striker who disrupts opposition centre-backs, who has quality, who is very strong and who can score goals.”

His performances have not gone unnoticed. Ever since he shone at the 2016 Olympic Games, scoring four goals as Nigeria won the Bronze medal, Europe’s top scouts have been monitoring his progress.

Sadiq has been linked with some LaLiga Santander clubs of late, but he may end up playing in Spain’s top division in 2021/22 anyway if Almeria keep up their progress.

Since the start of November, they’ve lost just twice – against just RCD Mallorca and Espanyol, the two teams above them in the table and the future looks bright.

Sadiq’s case is simply the latest Spanish football success story involving emerging

African talent this season.

Sevilla’s Morocco forward Youssef EnNesyri won the LaLiga Santander January Player of the Month award for January, meaning that both the reigning Players of the Months for Spain’s top two divisions are African – something unprecedented.

En-Nesyri’s Moroccan teammate Bono has been excellent in goal for the Andalusians too.

Standing at 192cm, Sadiq is a tall and powerful striker, making him a nightmare to go up against. The Nigerian also knows his best attributes and knows how to utilise his height and strength to win aerial duels and hold the ball up for his teammates.

He isn’t perfect, not by any means, but he is continuing to improve rapidly. His height, agility, finishing and strength have been key to his fine form this season.

At the 2016 Olympic Games, Sadiq was a key member of the Nigerian squad that won a bronze medal. The forward appeared in each of Nigeria’s six games, grabbing four goals; this included a brace in the third-place play-off against Honduras to help Nigeria win 3-2.

His exploits at the Olympic Games came while he was still playing for Roma, and his achievement meant that he was the first player to win an Olympic medal while playing for the Italian outfit since Daniele De Rossi in 2004.

Of course, the summer transfer window will not be the same when it opens as teams have been hit hard financially by the Coronavirus. As a result, this could make a deal for Sadiq even more enticing.

Considering his form after joining Partizan for just €1.75m, the club will look to make a healthy profit on him if they were to consider parting ways with him.

Turkish outlet Blic report that Besiktas have stepped up their efforts to sign the forward but Partizan are demanding no less than €15m.

It is even said that a bid of €10m from Qatar has already come in for Sadiq but this has been turned down. Elsewhere, further reports claim that interest in the player is continuing to rise, with both Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Mönchengladbach also entering the race for his signature.

It is also reported that Manchester United, Milan, Valencia, Fenerbahce, CSKA and Spartak Moscow have all shown an interest in the attacker.

29

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺ͸ , 2021

GLOBAL SOCCER

Can Everton End their 21-year Anfield Voodoo?

Everton will be hoping to end an 21-year winless streak at Anfield as they take on Liverpool. The last time the Toffeees recorded a win at the Reds’ home ground was in the 1999/2000 Premier League season and Carlo Ancelotti would be craving to end this uneviable record today

Premiership Table Man City Man Utd Leicester Chelsea West Ham Liverpool Everton Aston Villa Tottenham Arsenal Wolves Leeds Southampton Crystal Palace Burnley Brighton Newcastle Fulham West Brom Sheff Utd

24 24 24 24 24 24 23 22 23 24 25 24 23 24 24 24 24 24 24 24

34 19 16 16 9 13 2 12 11 6 -6 -3 -9 -1 -12 -5 -15 -12 -36 -25

56 46 46 42 42 40 37 36 36 34 33 32 29 5 29 27 26 25 19 13 11

Head to Head 20/17/10 Everton 2 - 2 Liverpool 20/21/06 Everton 0 - 0 Liverpool 19/04/12 Liverpool 5 - 2 Everton 19/03/03 Everton 0 - 0 Liverpool 18/02/12 Liverpool 1 - 0 Everton 18/07/04 Everton 0 - 0 Liverpool 17/10/12 Liverpool 1 - 1 Everton 17/01/04 Liverpool 3 - 1 Everton 16/19/12 Everton 0 - 1Liverpool 16/20/04 Liverpool 4 - 0 Everton 15/04/10 Everton 1 - 1 Liverpool 15/07/02 Everton 0 - 0 Liverpool 14/27/09 Liverpool 1 - 1 Everton 14/28/01 Liverpool 4 - 0 Everton 13/23/11 Everton 3 - 3 Liverpool 13/05/05 Liverpool 0 - 0 Everton 12/28/10 Everton 2 - 2 Liverpool 12/13/03 Liverpool 3 - 0 Everton 11/01/10 Everton 0 - 2 Liverpool 11/16/01 Liverpool 2 - 2 Everton 10/17/10 Everton 2 - 0 Liverpool 10/06/02 Liverpool 1 - 0 Everton Liverpool forward Sadio Mane outpaces Everton Mason Holgate, while Reds Georginio Wijnaldum tracks down the Toffees defender (1)

M

erseyside rivals, Liverpool and Everton lock horns for the289thtimethisafternoon, withjustoneplaceandthree points separating the two sides in the Premier League table. The champions have plummeted to sixth place following a dramatic dip in form over the past two months, giving their neighbours from across Stanley Park the chance to move level on points with them this weekend if they can end their long Anfield hoodoo.

The scale of Liverpool’s demise over recent weeks is beginning to be laid bare in the Premier League table, where the champions currently sit in sixth place and now a whopping 16 points adrift of runaway leaders Manchester City.

It was less than two months ago that Jurgen Klopp’s side sat top of the Premier League, so to now be in a position where the manager has publicly conceded the title is in indication of just how bad their domestic form has been of late.

The Reds have won just two of their eight topflight outings so far this calendar year and have lost five of those - incredibly already suffering as many league defeats in 2021 as they did from 72 matches in both 2019 and 2020 combined.

That includes defeats in each of their last three matches - against Brighton & Hove Albion, Manchester City and Leicester City and another loss on today would see them lose four on the bounce for the first time since December 2002.

The most recent two defeats have seen them ship seven goals too - as many as they had let in in their previous 10 games and their overall tally of goals conceded is now 32 from 24 outings, just one fewer than they let in throughout their entire title-winning campaign.

Klopp will no doubt be scratching his head as to why there has been such a marked downturn in results, but perhaps the most baffling aspect of their recent poor form has been their home record.

After going 68 league games without defeat at Anfield, the second-longest unbeaten run of its kind in English top-flight history, Liverpool have now lost their last three and are winless in their last five.

Indeed, it is now more than two months since

the Reds won a game on home turf, and you have to go back to 1923 for the only previous time Liverpool have ever lost four consecutive home league games in any division.

Everton themselves were the last reigning top-flight champion to suffer that fate way back in 1928-29, which gives a stark illustration of just how poor Liverpool’s form has been at home especially.

Despite that, it will not be all doom and gloom for Klopp and his players ahead of the visit of Everton, and they offered a reminder of what they can do during Tuesday night’s impressive Champions League win over RB Leipzig.

Goals from Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane saw off a Leipzig side that was in good form and flying high in the Bundesliga, notching two away goals without reply in Budapest to put one foot in the quarter-finals of the competition.

By Klopp’s own admission, the Champions League provides Liverpool’s last realistic route to silverware this season and so giving themselves a good lead to protect in the reverse fixture will have lifted a weight off the manager’s shoulders.

There is still plenty of work to be done to ensure Liverpool’s place in the competition again next season, with the Reds now two points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea, but Klopp will also take encouragement from their recent league performances despite the unsatisfactory results.

The champions controlled the vast majority of the game against Leicester before their costly collapse, and were also every bit a match for Manchester City prior to another collapse.

On both occasions it was individual errors which were most to blame for Liverpool letting points slip, and Klopp will be confident that his side will return to winning ways sooner rather than later if they can cut those uncharacteristic mistakes out.

There is every reason for him to believe that the return to winning ways domestically will come this weekend too, with Everton enduring their worst ever run against their local rivals.

It is now over a decade since the Toffees claimed Merseyside derby bragging rights and

they still have not won at Anfield this century, last doing so in 1999.

In more recent history, Everton also come into this match in poor Premier League form and are one of only three teams to have picked up fewer points than Liverpool over the past six games.

That statistic perhaps does not paint the full picture, with Carlo Ancelotti’s side sharing the spoils with Leicester, earning a dramatic 3-3 draw at Manchester United and winning at Leeds United in that time, but in terms of points on the board it is now just five from the last 18 on offer.

Carlo Ancelotti - Manager, Everton - Latest news, biographical informati...

News about Carlo Ancelotti - Manager, Everton - Latest news, biographical information, pictures and more.

The Toffees make the short trip to Anfield off the back of successive defeats to teams at opposite ends of the table, first losing to Fulham last weekend and then succumbing to the Manchester City juggernaut on Wednesday.

The encouraging news ahead of this game is that those defeats both came at home, where Everton have now picked up only one point from five games since the turn of the year.

It is a completely different story away from home, where Everton have amassed 17 points from a possible 21 in a seven-game run that stretches back to the beginning of November.

March 2016 was the last time they enjoyed a longer unbeaten streak away from home in the top flight, while only the league’s top three have picked up more points on their travels throughout 2020-21 so far.

That said, even accounting for Liverpool’s recent troubles at home, Manchester City are still the only team that can better their home points haul this season, and their record against Everton at Anfield cannot be ignored.

Liverpool will know that another defeat today would be a huge blow to their top-four hopes, whereas Everton have the tantalising prospect of moving level with their hosts having played a game fewer, as well as keeping their own Champions League ambitions alive.

PREMIER LEAGUE TODAY

Southampton v Chelsea 12:30 Burnley v West Brom 15:00 Liverpool v Everton 17:30 Fulham v Sheffield Utd 20:00 SUNDAY

West Ham Aston Villa Arsenal Man Utd Monday Brighton

v Tottenham 12:00 v Leicester City 14:00 v Man City 16:30 v Newcastle 19:00 v Crystal Palace 20:00

La Liga TODAY

Getafe Elche Atlético Valencia Valladolid

v v v v v

Sociedad Eibar Levante Celta Vigo Madrid

13:00 13:00 15:15 17:30 20:00

v v v v

Cádiz Alavés Granada Villarreal

13:00 15:15 17:30 20:00

SUNDAY

Barcelona Sociedad Huesca Bilbao MONDAY

Osasuna v Sevilla 20:00

Hot Shot PLAYERS

Mohamed Salah Bruno Fernandes Calvert-Lewin Harry Kane Son Heung-min Patrick Bamford Jamie Vardy Ilkay Gundogan Callum Wilson Ollie Watkins Wilfried Zaha Raheem Sterling Alexandre Lacazette Marcus Rashford

CLUB

GOALS

Liverpool 17 Man Utd 14 Everton 13 Tottenham 13 Tottenham 13 Leeds Utd 12 Leicester 12 Man City 11 Newcastle 10 Aston Villa 10 Crystal Palace 9 Man City 8 Arsenal 8 Man Utd 8

30

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺ͸ , 2021

GLOBAL SOCCER

Victor Osimhen...still enjoying Gattuso’s backing

Jennifer Brady eyes first Grand Slam as she takes on Naomi Osaka in today’s Australian Open final

Gattuso Defends Goal-shy Osimhen, Says He’s Australian Open Osaka Stands between Brady, Playing with Strapping to His Shoulder Napoli of Italy Manager, Gennaro Gattuso has defended his record acquisition, Victor Osimhen, saying the striker was not yet in tip-top condition after returning from injury and recovering from coronavirus.

The former AC Milan midfielder said this after Napoli’s 2-0 loss to Granada in the Europa League on Thursday.

The Nigeria international has now gone 102 days without finding the net for Napoli after failing to score

at the Estadio Municipal Nuevo Los Cármene despite playing the entirety of the game.

Granada are well placed to advance to the last 16 of the Europa League thanks to first half goals from Herrera and Kenedy.

The fact that Osimhen did not register a single shot on target in the whole of the second half despite Napoli in search of a crucial away goal summed up his evening.

“As I already said, Osimhen was

out for a long time, he’s still playing with strapping to his shoulder and is not 100 per cent,” Gattuso said.

“He needs to find consistency and sharpness to play his game. At the moment, he has these gaps and isn’t capable of moving consistently, as we’ve seen it in the statistics.”

Gattuso continues to count on Osimhen despite his goal drought, starting the Super Eagles number nine in the last three matches in all competitions.

Super Falcons Coach Lauds Payne, George after Team’s Debuts Randy Waldrum has lauded the fantastic displays of the American-born duo of Toni Payne and Patricia George in Nigeria’s 1-0 victory over CSKAMoscow in their Turkish Women’s Cup opener.

Payne and George completed their nationality switchestorepresentNigeria in April 2019 but could not honour their earlier invitations by erstwhile coach

Thomas Dennerby due to administrative problems.

After a long wait, they eventually fulfilled their dreams under coach Waldrum against CSKA at the Emir Sports Complex on Thursday.

They both put in assured performances as Waldrum’s side collected a clean sheet from a 1-0 win and launched their campaign on a winning note in the American tacti-

cian’s first game in charge.

Sevilla star Payne featured from the start to finish on her first appearance for the African champions and the 64-year-old manager was full of praise for the 25-year-old forward.

“I was really pleased with them (Payne and George),” Waldrum told the media.

“I thought she (Payne) was really great today and I thought she’s been playing

up front for her club team.

“And I knew her in the US as a midfielder player and we put her in the midfield today and she really did a goodjob.Shewasdangerous and creative.”

On the part of George, the SCSanddefendercameonas a76th-minutereplacementfor midfielderHalimatuAyinde and Waldrum feels she was outstanding in her few moments on the pitch.

Southampton vs Chelsea, Milan Derby Live on GOtv Max this Weekend Football fans are scheduled to get a bouquet of exciting matches as GOtv brings all the live actions of PremierLeague,SerieAandLa Liga matches this season. All matches scheduled for 20-22 February will be shown live on SuperSport.

Premier League matches scheduledforthisweekendwill seeSouthamptonfaceChelsea thisafternoonat 1:30pm live on SS Football (channel 31).

Aston Villa will be looking

to return to winning ways in the PremierLeaguewhen theytakeonLeicesterCityon Sundayafternoonat3pm,live on SS Football (channel 31).

In Spain, the pick of matches for this round will see log leaders, Atletico Madrid host Levante at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano today at 4:15pm and champions Real Madrid will travel to Estadio Municipal Jose ZorrillatofaceRealValladolid tonight at 9pm, both on SS La

Liga (channel 32).

La Liga continues on Sunday with Real Sociedad vs Deportivo Alaves at 4:15pm and Athletic Bilabo vs Villarreal at 9pm, both showing live on SS La Liga (channel 32), the only place to get English commentary from the legendary La Liga.

The headline fixture from Serie A this weekend sees Milan and Internazionale meet in the Derby della Madonnina (Milan derby)

on the afternoon of Sunday at3pmonSSSelect1(channel 33).

Sunday also features a potential thriller between Atalanta and Napoli at 6pm on SS Select 1 (channel 33).

While Sassuolo will clash withBolognaat8:45pmtoday, all airing live on SS Select 1 (channel 33). Football for the weekendendswithJuventus facing Crotone on Monday night at 8:45pm on SS Select 1 (channel 33).

Ebreneyin Re-elected as Captain of Ibori Golf, Promises More Innovations Alfred Ebreneyin has been re-elected as Captain of Ibori Golf and Country Club (IGCC) Asaba, Delta State, for the second term.

Ebreneyin was re-elected to pilot the affairs of the club for another one year tenure having done wonderfully well in the year 2020 season characterised by the Coronavirus pandemic that disrupted all sporting activities globally.

Also re-elected to serve in the 2021 new administrative year were some of his former executive members.

They were Jimmy Odogwu (Vice Captain); Chuks Nwani (House

officer); Gibson Lee (Course Officer), and Tam Brisbie (Handicap Secretary).

However, former Lady Vice Captain, Mrs. Hetty Egbai emerged as the Captain of the Ladies Division while Queen Mowah is to serve as Lady Vice-Captain. Also, Henry Onianwa was elected as Competition Secretary for the club.

The elated Ebreneyin in a chat with sports writers after being sworn-in thanked the club management for the confidence reposed in him and other executive members, promising that they would not disappoint them

in the process of administering the club again.

While revealing his plans for the club, he said: “Plans for the club is to consolidate on the gains so far and put in place structures to ensure the sustainable development of the club.

“Some of the key projects this administration will embark upon include branding opportunities for strategic partners, Pro.- Am golf tournament and the developmental program for young aspiring golfers.

“The legacy I want to leave behind is to have a viable club with structures to ensure its sustainability.”

Maiden Grand Slam Title

N

aomi Osaka, 23, is bidding to maintain her 100 per cent record in Grand Slam finals as she chases a second Australian Open crown; Jennifer Brady is appearing in her maiden Slam final, just months after losing to Osaka in the US Open semis.

Naomi Osaka continues her bid for a fourth Grand Slam title when she takes on American Jennifer Brady in the Australian Open women’s final in Melbourne this morning.

Three-time Grand Slam champion Osaka is currently enjoying a 20-match winning streak, with her last defeat came on February 7, 2020. She sealed her place in today’s showpiece with a straight-sets victory over seven-time Australian Open winner Serena Williams.

The Japanese star punished an error-strewn display from Williams to prevail 6-3 6-4, ending the 39-year-old’s quest for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title. Osaka has been in imperious form throughout the last fortnight, surrendering the solitary set en route to the final, surviving two match points against two-time major champion Garbine Muguruza in the last 16.

Brady enjoyed serene progress to the quarter-finals, registering four consecutive straight-sets wins before recovering from a set down to defeat her compatriot Jessica Pegula.

This saw the 25-year-old seal her spot in a second successive Grand Slam semi-final, where she came through a gruelling three-set battle against Ashleigh Barty’s conqueror Karolina Muchova. Osaka has prevailed in two of the pair’s three meetings, but their most recent showdown proved to be defining for both players.

They locked horns in the semi-finals of last year’s US Open, as Osaka came through a pulsating three-set battle, before defeating Victoria Azarenka to capture her third Grand Slam crown.

The 2019 Australian Open champion has never failed to lift a Grand Slam tournament when progressing to the quarter-finals - a record she’ll be desperate to maintain in Melbourne.

Despite suffering defeat, Brady described that memorable Flushing Meadows semi-final as one of the greatest matches of her career, and it marked her major breakthrough.

Medvedev Sets up Final against Djokovic

D

aniil Medvedev produced a masterclass against Stefanos Tsitsipas to reach his maidenAustralian Open final where the Russian will take on eight-time champion Novak Djokovic on Sunday.

Medvedev, who was the runner-up at the 2019 US Open, extinguished the hopes of the 22-year-old from Greece with a 6-4 6-2 7-5 victory to make it 20 wins in a row, including 11 against Top 10 players - a streak that included a win over Djokovic at the ATP Finals in November.

Playing in his third Grand Slam semi-final, Tsitsipas was unable to conjure up another miraculous recovery having already come from two sets down to knock out Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals.

The 25-year-old was impeccable on serve throughout and he broke his opponent five times on his way to the final as he silenced the pro-Tsitsipas crowd on Rod Laver Arena.

Fourth seed Medvedev pushed Nadal hard in his previous Grand Slam final at the US Open in 2019, coming from two sets down before losing in five, and he must now do what no tennis player has so far managed by defeating Djokovic in an Australian Open final.

Speaking on court, Medvedev said: “(It was) definitely not easy. (Tsitsipas’) match with Rafa was kind of the same score in the first two sets, third set Rafa was dominating so I got a little bit scared and tight because it’s the semi-final of a slam.

“For us it’s not the 50th like for Novak or Roger Federer so it was not easy but I’m happy I managed to turn my game on, especially in some tough moments on my serve and really happy to be in the final.

“It’s him (Djokovic) who has all the pressure. I just hope that I’m going to get out there, show my best tennis. He has for sure more experience but more things to lose.”

Only four players: Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Murray have occupied the top two positions in the ATP rankings since July 2005. That will change if Medvedev wins Sunday’s Australian Open final.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺ͸ , 2021

31

GLOBAL SOCCER

Ola Aina, Josh Maja and Tosin Adarabioyo celebrating Maja’s second goal against Everton

Fulham: A New Castle for Nigerians Aside from Arsenal under Arsene Wenger that paraded a number of French players, no players of the same nationality have dominated a club in recent times the way Nigerian players have dominated English Premier League side, Fulham. With Tosin Adarabioyo, Ola Aina, Ademola Lookman and summer signing Josh Maja at the London club, the Craven Cottage seems to be the new haven for Nigerian players

W

henformerNigerianinternational, Dickson Etuhu was making hay at the Craven Cottage, where he made 91 appearances for between 2008 and 2012, little did anyone know that it was just the beginning of Nigerian dominance at the London club.

Nine years down the line, four Nigerians- Tosin Adarabioyo, Ola Aina, Ademola Lookman and Josh Maja are leading the battle to get the Cottagers out of relegation.

Before Fulham played Chelsea in week 23 of the Premier League, they were on a six unbeaten run in all competitions.

Fulham boss named three players of Nigerian descent; Tosin Adarabioyo, Ademola Lookman and Ola Aina in his starting lineup, while Josh maja was brought in with 11 minutes remaining.

However, the four Nigerians were on parade from the start and they combined well to inflict a 2-0 defeat on Everton at Goodison Park, their first victory against the Merseysiders in 23 games.

On Wednesday, Aina shot Fulham into the lead against Burnley before the Clarets equalised as the Cottagers settled for just a point.

Maja came close to netting the winning goal but Nick Pope gathered his goal bound effort and he was again denied by the Burnley shot-stopper in the 86th minute.

Twice, Lookman came close to making it 2-1 in the last five minutes, firstly a cross from Loftus-Cheek glanced off him and was smothered by goalkeeper Pickford, before seeing his curling shot from a tight angle go wide.

Manager Scott Parker was happy to take a point from the game against the Clarets but noted that they could have nicked a win if Lookman and Maja converted their chances in the second half.

Speaking to Sky Sports shortly after the game, Parker stated: “We take a point, we didn’t get beat here and we had some big chances at the end. Lookman, Josh had a

couple of decent chances but didn’t go in so we regroup now.

“Like I said, that’s four points so far this week coming to a tough place and we go again now on Saturday again which is another tough game.”

Fulham are next in action when they host fellow relegation candidates Sheffield United at Craven Cottage.”

Ola Aina joined Fulham in the summer on a season-long loan from Torino with an option to sign the 23-year-old permanent.

After finalising his move, Aina told FFCtv: “I feel very excited and privileged to be able to play for a Club like this.

“It feels amazing to be back closer to my family, back in the capital where I was born and raised.

“There’s a great bunch of lads here. I’m really good friends with Big Hec and Josh Onomah.

“I feel very comfortable on either foot, I can fill in wherever needs be. I’d say I’m pretty quick and I like to attack, but I also like to help the team and do the dirty work as much as I can.”

Born in London but now a full Nigerian international, Aina has primarily operated at right-back throughout his career, but his versatility means he can also fill in capably across the defence or further forward.

On his part, Ademola Lookman joined Fulham on loan from RB Leipzig.

A 22-year-old forward who is comfortable operating anywhere along the frontline, Lookman will remain at Craven Cottage for the duration of the 2020/21 season.

He said: “I’m glad to have it over the line and done now. I’m glad I can be here to help the team.

“After the conversations I had with Scott Parker, I got a great feeling, that’s the working relationship I want to have. He’s young and hungry and I’m young and hungry as well so it’s a good match.”

Born and raised in London, Lookman was spotted by Charlton Athletic while playing for local side Waterloo, and joined the

Addicks in 2014.

Such was his progress, he made his first team debut a year later, just two weeks after his 17th birthday, and never looked back.

Having scored 12 times in little over a year for Charlton, the Premier League beckoned for Lookman, with Everton agreeing a deal worth up to £11m for his services in January 2017.

He immediately endeared himself to the Goodison Park faithful with a fine debut goal a matter of minutes after coming off the bench, as Manchester City were comprehensively beaten 4-0 by the Toffees.

Tosin Adarabioyo is the third Englishborn player of Nigerian descent to join the Cottagers in the summer transfer window after Ola Aina and Ademola Lookman who have been loaned in from Torino and RB Leipzig respectively.

The central defender inked a three-year deal with Fulham, with the club holding the option to extend for a further year.

In his first words as a Fulham player, Adarabioyo said: “I’m very excited, very excited to get going and finally be playing Premier League football.

“I felt like the time was right to leave Manchester City and push on. It was the right time in my career to move on and hopefully get a lot of Premier League games.”

The 23-year-old Adarabioyo departs Manchester City after making eight appearances in all competitions and took in loan spells at West Brom and Blackburn Rovers during his time at the Etihad Stadium.

Josh Maja is the last of the quartet to join the Cottagers having signed from Bordeaux on loan with an option to buy.

The 22-year-old Nigerian international has joined the Cottagers on a temporary basis until the summer, with the option to make the deal permanent for £9m.

Maja said he is “excited and proud” to return to Fulham, seven years after leaving the club’s academy to join Manchester City’s youth set-up.

“This is a big opportunity and I look

Lookman

forward to meeting up with the team and working hard to achieve positive results,” he told the club’s website.

Fulham boss Scott Parker had been vocal about his desire to bring in a striker on deadline day to provide more firepower and cover for Aleksandar Mitrovic.

“I think we need that in that area because we’re light in numbers,” Parker said.

How well the quartet can combine to save Fulham from relegation remains to be seen.

G LO B A L S O C C E R ASSISTANT EDITOR

THISDAY ON SATURDAY EDITOR

THISDAY NEWSPAPERS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN

MANAGING DIRECTOR

DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR

32

˜ ˾ FEBRUARY 20, 2021

JOE/FAJ

THEFRONTLINES

One Nigeria, In Whose Interest?

JOSEPH USHIGIALE

D

uring the course of the week, I stumbled on a trending video containing the recorded interr view of the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, Ahmadu Bello with a foreign journalist shortly before his assassination by Major Chukwuma Nzeogwu’s coup of January 1966.

The short interview clip had the journalist asking the premier: Why northerners have the worst kind of obsession with the Igbos? And the Premier replied by saying: Well, the Igbos are more or less the type of people whose desire is to dominate everybody. If they go to a village or town, they want to monopolize everything in that area. If you put them in a labor camp as a laborer, within a year, they would try to emerge as a headman of that camp. And so on and so forth.

Well, in the past, our people were not alive to their responsibilities, because you can see from our northernization policy that in 1952 when I came here, there weren’t up to ten northerners in our civil service here. Now I tried to northernize the service and now all the important posts are held by northerners.

Again he was asked whether this policy of filling all important posts with northerners only instead of Nigerians a temporary or permanent one? The Premier answered: As a matter of fact, what it is, is the northerner first. If we can’t get a northerner, then we take an expatriate, like yourself on contract. If we can’t then we can employ another Nigerian but on contract too. This is going to be a permanent policy for as far as I can foresee because it would rather be dangerous to see the number of our boys turning out of our tertiary institutions coming without work to do. I am sure whichever govt of the day would feel embarrassed and it might even lead to bloodshed. Lastly, he was asked if his northernization policy in Nigeria would not damage the idea that all peoples from all regions see themselves as citizens of one country? Here was his response: Well it might but how many northerners are employed in the east or west? The answer is none and if they are, they are employed as labour.

It has been food for thought for me since listening to this short but power-packed interview clip which lays bare the very reason why some northerners view Nigeria as its piece of estate. If the Premier of the north could grant this sort of explosive interview to a foreign journalist way back in the ‘60s, it is also evident why Nigeria has perpetually been in reverse mood as the Nigerian project was ultimately dead on arrival and killed by the north.

It has been over five decades since the premier made this declaration and within this space of time and in line with the

northernization policy, the north has produced Yakubu Gowon, Murtala Mohammed, Shehu Shagari, Muhammadu Buhari, Ibrahim Babangida, Sani Abacha, Abdulsalami Abubakar, Umaru Yar’Adua and Buhari again as heads of state from the north while the south has produced Obasanjo twice, Ernest Shonekan, Goodluck Jonathan as heads of state.

One would have thought that with its north first policy and given its claims to controlling 75% of landmass and population, the north would have used its ascendence to power to make the north an eldorado transformed by development. Today, after being in power for over 40 years, instead of widespread development, the reverse is the case. The north is steeped in an insurgency, poverty, hunger, drug addiction, kidnapping, banditry, cattle rustling, and armed robbery. It is on record that in Borno and several other states, Boko Haram terrorists controlled swathes of land, kidnapped hundreds of school children, and states like Zamfara, Katsina and Kaduna are danger zones because of activities of criminals. The north has emerged as the most unsafe place in the entire country.

Where then are the people whom the late premier was protecting jobs for?

So in whose interest is the projection of a One Nigeria if northern interest and not Nigeria’s comes first? To answer this question, it is pertinent to also verify who is the north? The north simply refers to a combination of the Hausa and Fulani tribes. The Hausa believed to be larger in number and controlling a population of over 50m, were believed to be overpowered by the Jihad of Uthman Dan Fodio in 1804.

According to Britannica “The Fulani, a people of obscure origins expanded eastward from Futa Toro in Lower Senegal in the 14th century. By the 16th century they had established themselves at Macina (upstream from the Niger Bend) and were proceeding eastward into Hausaland. Some settled in the 19th century at Adamawa (in the northern Cameroons). Many of the Fulani continued to pursue a pastoral life; some, however, particularly in Hausaland, gave up their nomadic pursuits, settled into existing urban communities, and were converted to Islam.

“In the 1790s a Fulani divine, Usman dan Fodio (1754–1817), who lived in the northern Hausa state of Gobir (northeast of Sokoto) quarreled with its rulers. Accusing the Hausa kings of being little more than pagans, he encouraged the Hausa people to revolt. Joined both by Hausa commoners and by Fulani pastoralists alike, the jihad, or holy war, swept through Hausaland and, repulsed only by the eastern empire of Kanem-Bornu, engulfed Adamawa, Nupe, and Yorubaland to the south.

My Point: Locus and Interlocution

O

nce upon a time, it was said that journalism was the enactment of history in a hurry. Those who queued behind that school of thought would have been overwhelmed by the relentless surge and unwieldy influence of social internet networks, otherwise called ‘Social Media’. The frenetic pace of social media activism provides a potpourri of emotions - sometimes odious and mundane outbursts, some excellent and seminal submissions, and the regular fare of warmongering, hate speech, kitchen-sink-strokedirty-linen splash, feverishly lavished by ‘post-modest’ reporters, and greedily lapped by eager-beaver millions of net-zens.

Yet, we find great opportunity on Social Media for learning, teaching, exhortation, remonstration, illumination, examination, deconstruction, etc, in our engagements with state actors, policies, personalities and politics. Of greater advantage is the benefit of instantaneous response and rebuttal. Comments come in different garbs: from the acerbic, to the urbane, to the scholarly; from the universalist, liberal citizens of the world, to closet bigots, tribal anarchists, and irreverent disruptors; from the jocular to the banal... and even the downright nasty. The categories are endless.

Beyond this weekly column, we elected in the new year to be more active on the social media, especially on Facebook, and frequently engage a more voluble and responsive audience of friends, colleagues, ‘followers’, and others. Therefore, from the first week of January 2021, we have upped our interventions in a series of posts that articulate our thoughts on immediate and important issues. Simply dubbed ‘My Point’, we have chosen, today, to showcase positions taken between January and February on different hot topics, and which had elicited interesting and serious attention. Unfortunately, there is not enough space even for a fraction of ‘comments’ generated by ‘My Point’. Below are some of those Social Media interlocution...

“News: Nigerians Be Fair When Criticizing My Government - Buhari My Point: Eskis Sir... It’s difficult to be fair to your government and any in the past 35 years, or more - when you think of the hope dashed by unfulfilled promises, abandoned manifestoes, confusing corruption crusades, suffocating stories of multiple heists of public funds... weakly portrayed as fissures of democratic limitations.

When the majority of the people feel that some government actions and policies are essentially designed to torment and frustrate their entrepreneurial and self-improvement endeavours...

It is very difficult to empathize with an administration which is rightly (or wrongly) accused of lacking empathy and humaneness.

I rest.

“News: 2023: South-West Speakers, Ex-Lawmakers, Political Allies Unite In Ibadan For Tinubu My Point: Politicians?! Always scheming... optimistic. Proactive on

issues of self-interest... Yet, we are under the attack of a most vicious pandemic during which absolutely no one is guaranteed to be alive in 2023 to vote or be voted for! Surely, politics is vanity...only the superbly vain thrive in.

Just wear masks and keep safe distancing as you scurry and scheme for a year that only Coronavirus may permit.

“News 1: Ohanaeze urges Buhari to consider South-East in next appointment News 2: Ohanaeze faction lauds Buhari over appointment of Leo Irabor News 3: Northern elders back Ohanaeze, want review of appointments My Point: Apparently, the fact of the ancestry of Lucky Eluonye Onyenuchea (LEO) Irabor, a major general and acting CDS, being an Ika-Igbo rubbed the two factions of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in different ways.

The Igbo nation should underscore the seriousness and sensitivity of their reactions to these critical security appointments by unifying their positions - and muzzling their internal structural disagreements.

For the greater good!

“News: Army deploys 300 female soldiers to secure KadunaAbuja road My Point: Who is the problem here? Is it the military authorities who cavalierly share vital operational intelligence with the public?

Or the excitable media who are unable to apply circumspection in their reportage of delicate security information?

How do you provide critical components of your offensive strategy, churning out numbers, gender and location of your next action? Is it to provide the miscreants and despicable elements with feeders for their countermeasures?!

This has been a recurrent gaffe amongst government agencies, and even governors and ministers, who reel out vital information at public forums...on issues that can be better dealt with using subtlety and covert measures.

Then, we wonder why our painful anti-social misfortune lingers... and festers.

What really is our problem? Intelligence? Loud-mouthiness?

Showmanship? Eye-service-ism? Strategic thinking?

“News 1: Not All Fulani Are Kidnappers - Sultan of Sokoto News 2: Seven Out Of Every Ten Kidnappers Arrested Are Fulani - Sultan My Point: Of course, we know, sir. We generally categorise anyone who asserts generalisations in any human activity as short-sighted and bigoted.

What we are asking is that when elements caught in the act of kidnapping and mindless murdering, raping, maiming and destruction of farmlands... there should not be a call from Abuja or anywhere else asking police officers to “release them immediately”.

We want suspected criminals of Fulani, Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa...or

jushigiale@yahoo.co.uk, joseph.ushigiale@thisdaylive.com 08023422660 (sms only)

“After the invasion by the Fulani of the northern provinces of the Oyo, the emirate of Ilorin to the northeast became the base from which Islam was to spread among the Yoruba. Usman, who was more a scholar than a statesman, ceded the practical direction of the eastern part of the empire to his son Muhammad Bello, who settled in Sokoto, and the western (with its capital at Gwandu) to his brother Abdullahi. All three continued the Fulani denunciation of Bornu. The empire reached its zenith under Muhammad Bello, who, like Usman, administered it according to the principles of Muslim law. The decay of this system was to aid the establishment in the late 19th century of British rule over what was later to be known as Northern Nigeria.”

Therefore the north simply means the Fulani hegemony which has literally subsumed the Hausas under its tutelage. So why are the Fulanis laying claim to Nigeria? The Fulanis, given their jihad antecedent, see themselves side by side with the British colonial rulers. Although operating with different ideologies of Islam and Christianity, their missions were the same: to conquer new territories and plunder their resources. While the British operated in the South part of Nigeria through direct rule, the Fulanis were raiding the seven Hausa vassal states up to Ilorin and what is today known as the Middle Belt. When the British confronted the Jihadists, instead of war, because they still wanted to maintain their feudal system of administration, the Jihadists decided to settle with the British for an indirect rule in the north which still gave them some firm control of their conquered territories.

Therefore, at independence in 1960, the British found a willing ally in the Fulanis to whom they entrusted the Nigerian project for safekeeping. This is why the Fulanis still regard the rest of Nigerii ans as a conquered people and seeing themselves as entitled and ‘born to rule’. It is for this reason that a hitherto unknown group, Miyetti Allah under the present regime of President Muhammadu Buhari has become a parallel government arrogating itself the power to challenge constituted authority.

It is therefore in the north’s interest for a united Nigeria where there is no justice and equity, where the government supports terrorists and insurgents and declares amnesty for known criminals instead of persecuting them.

Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

COUNTERPOINT

FEMI

AKINTUNDEE-JOHNSON fajalive1@gmail.com 08182223348 - (SMS Only)

whatever stock, to face the full force of the law, promptly and fairly, without tribal or sectional hiccups.

And sir, let’s find a modern means of dealing with our beef matter...this 300-400km trek with cows, child-herders, AK-47, and accompanying casualties and devastation should STOP. Also, erecting colonies seems to me archaic and disruptive. This is 2021! We no dey shame?

“Tori: Bandits: Islamic Cleric Sheik Gumi want make FG give amnesty to bandits, herdsmen and a share of di ‘national cake’ (BBC Pidgin) News: Negotiate with unrepentant Fulani bandits, grant amnesty to them - Sheikh Gumi tells Buhari (Daily Post) My Point: I come dey wonder wetin Evans (inside Lagos jail) for dey think now...

PS: Daily Post, by the way, that is not a news headline...it’s editorial! Needless opinion.

“News: Bauchi Gov: Herders Have No Option Than To Carry AK-47 My Point: It has become clear that anyone interested in any elective office should first undergo rigorous psych-eval ... at a government facility, fully paid for by the political aspirant.

Imagine a state’s chief security officer making such incendiary statement. Has he ever read the constitution? Or his state runs a different one? Where do the herders derive such ‘option’?

So, the tormented and endangered farmers and southern locals are entitled to carry similar weapons, or higher grades...since they have no option but to protect themselves from blood-drunk mad herdsmen who cannot differentiate between cash crops and lemon grass.

Then, I remembered he recently tested positive for coronavirus... and also that Dr. Omoniyi Ibietan’s assertion which ties post-virus status with mental health issues... Perhaps, we ought to be more charitable...he may not know what he is saying or doing... perhaps, like some of the governors who contracted the disease?

But going forward, this is a frightening scenario.

“News: “My administration is at war with the bandits and so we cannot negotiate. Eliminating them is the only solution to banditry. - Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai My Point: I hope other Northern governors are reading el-Rufai (especially that AK-47-loving polemicist in Bauchi), instead of shamelessly throwing their hands up, and claiming ‘kissing’ the bandits is the only way to peace. Smoke-filled mentality!”

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 20,2021

33

MARKET PLACE with Omolabake Fasogbon... 08155131874

World Remit Aligns with CBN on new Dollar Account Opening Cross-border digital payments service, World Remit has described the move by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, mandating commercial banks to open dollar accounts for customers who do not have as timely and apt.

Country Manager, World Remit, Nigeria and Ghana, Gbenga Okejimi, stated that the move would enhance remittance payments for those who receive support from family and friends abroad.

The CBN had recently announced that all Nigerian banks will be mandated to facilitate money transfers by automatically opening US Dollar bank accounts for those who do not currently have US Dollar bank accounts.

The apex bank stated also that a $2,000

withdrawal limit will apply to these accounts This development, according to the regulator, would ensure successful process of international money transfer even if senders enter Naira account details for transactions.

Commenting further, Okejimi said, “We are excited by the fact that we can continue to enable the transfer of remittances to more people across Nigeria, whilst also supporting the Nigerian government in its eͿorts to strengthen the economy.

“When our founder came up with the idea to create World Remit, it was with the ultimate goal of ensuring that the diaspora community could send money back home easily and through a safe platform. I am proud to say that we are constantly evolving,

innovating and adapting to ensure that our customers’ needs are met e΀ciently.”

WorldRemit recently announced the expansion of its US Dollar payout option with nine of its existing bank partners. This development makes it an International Money Transfer Organisations (IMTO) with one of the broadest and largest USD payout networks in Nigeria.

Customers of FCMB, First Bank, Access Bank, Fidelity Bank, GT Bank and UBA can now also access USD payout through the bank transfer and cash pickup options.

Those receiving transfers into Union Bank, Polaris Bank and Zenith Bank accounts can access USD payout only through the cash pickup option.

Osun Boosts Investment in Local Textile Industry Nigeria textile industry is set to receive a major boost with the launch of new Adire Textile Factory in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

According to the initiator, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, and Founder of Africa Fashion Week London and Nigeria, Princess Ronke Ademiluyi, the factory is structured to be the largest in Africa and will provide opportunities for cultural exchange between African and international students of design, to have deeper knowledge of Adire fabric.

The launch of the factory will take place during the annual Aje festival on February 22 to commemorate the grand festival.

In addition to the textile factory, Ooni Ogunwusi disclosed that Africa Fashion Week London and Nigeria has been commissioned to build a new Cultural Centre also in Ile-Ife as part of efforts to strengthen the local economy. The new cultural center is described as a massive capital project that will require national and international funding, and will be laid on 30,000sqms of land in Ile-Ife. Briefing newsmen recently, Ademiluyi pointed out that the Cultural Centre would be a repository for the indigenous arts and crafts found in Africa.

She said, “It will provide an ecosystem for development, teaching and learning, guided by tradition, innovation and sustainability and will connect the stories of indigenous arts to the heritage of Africa.”

Multiple award- winning Ademiluyi added, “Other facilities within the complex will include a gallery for visiting exhibitions, a textile museum, a digital library, heritage artisan village (which will include the bronze casting, terracotta pottery and wood carving); an aso-oke cloth weaving pavilion, Yoruba culture academy, a design innovation lab and timeshare residential lodges.

Winners Emerge in Kellogg’s Super Star Contest

L-R: The Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Uchenna Okafor; MD/CEO, Esso Properties Limited, Smith Sosochukwuma Ezenagu; and Comrade Nweke Oliver, at the inauguration of Berry Prime Estate, Agu-Awka and Sunray Estate, Amansea Awka, Anambra State… recently

No fewer than 100 winners have emerged in the 2020 edition of Kellogg’s flagship children scholarship scheme “Kellogg’s Superstars contest.” The winners were announced at a moderate ceremony in Lagos where they were also offered N100,000 educational grant each, amongst other prizes. The Kellogg’s Superstars contest is an essay writing competition designed for children within the age bracket of five and 12 years to sharpen their writing skills and creative ability.

Participants were required to write a short and concise essay of not more than 100 words on the topic “Why my Mum is a Super Mum”.

Up to 49,989 entries were received nationwide from which the best 100 emerged as winners to receive N100,000 worth of scholarship each.

Hosting the winners in Ikeja G.R.A, Lagos, National Marketing Manager of Kellogg’s, reiterated the drive of the initiative to support and improve educational output.

He noted that Kellogg’s being a children friendly brand was worried about the startling number of out of school children in the country, where available statistics from UNICEF confirms that one in every five of the world’s out-of-school children is in Nigeria.

He said, “One of the reasons established for this trend is poverty.

We decided to intervene with the initiative to support parent in our own little ways at ensuring that children have access to education and, more importantly, to improve the writing skills and creative ingenuity of children.

Adloyalty Business Network Rewards Anambra Agog as Esso Properties Realtors with Cars, Vacation Abroad Inaugurates 2 Estates It was a day of laughter, joy, and celebration galore with a promise of amazing things to expect for realtors over the weekend when West Africa’s largest Real Estate Marketing Network, Adloyalty Business Network rewarded her realtors who had shown excellence in sales performance with lots of amazing gifts, all-expense paid vacations abroad, and home appliances, with the cherry on the cake being the reward of four of her best performing realtors with four brand new cars on Thursday the 11th February 2021 courtesy of Chateau Royal Real Estate Ltd. Chateau Royal Real Estate Ltd is one of the esteemed development partners of Adloyalty Business Network with over ten (10) residential estate developments spread across Lagos and Ogun states D’luxe Bespoke Residences being their latest development.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony of the D’luxe Bespoke Residences, a residential estate development comprising 100 units of two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments and developed

by Chateau Royal Limited, Dr. Freeman Osonuga the MD/CEO of Adloyalty Business Network, a real estate marketing

company with over 20 estate portfolios and 25000 realtors expressed his belief in rewarding not only hard work, but smart work too specially.

According to Dr. Osonuga, it is a tradition at Adloyalty Business Network to go beyond commissions earned on property sold by realtors, and give them mouth-watering bonuses as well as rewards of tangible value to motivate them to perform even better.

Speaking further, he expressed his delight at how Adloyalty Business Network’s human capital empowerment initiative aimed at curbing unemployment and encouraging youth participation in the real estate sector has not only succeeded, but is thriving and making millionaires and proud new car owners of the realtors.

Since 2017, Adloyalty Business Network has increasing positioned herself as a company to be reckoned with in Nigeria and the diaspora by consistently delivering prime property with a double pronged brand promise of giving buyers peace of mind, as well as availing property investors with property that delivers increased value.

Bennett Oghifo

One of Nigeria’s rising Real Estate companies, Esso Properties Limited over the weekend launched two estates: Berry Prime Estate and Sunray Estate in Anambra State.

The epoch-making event started with a roadshow, and for a week, the company’s canvassers along with the Head Corporate Communications, Miss Blessing Ugbem toured the state.

While brieÀng journalists at the unveiling of Sunray Estate in Amansea Awka on February 12th, 2021, the marketing manager of Esso Properties Limited, Humphrey Odie said the company was attracted by the huge development potentials of Anambra State.

Odie said, “Anambra is a very attractive state in the South East. We are actually launching two estates in the state, Sunray Estate in Amansea, Awka and Berry Prime Estate in Agu-Awka, both in Anambra state.

“Sunray Estate is a premium estate sitting on 300 plots of land, which also parades various facilities like tight security, shopping mall, good drainages and various kinds of prototype buildings for all level of individuals.

“Our coming to Anambra is because of its potentials, Anambra is a state you cannot ignore in terms of investment. We are in Anambra to give the people aͿordable accommodation, and that is what we

are here to do.”

The day after, all roads led to the Parktonian Hotel, Awka where the estates were formally launched.

While addressing invited guests during the formal launch of the estates in Awka, the Managing Director/ Chief Executive O΀cer of Esso Properties Limited, Mr Smith Sosochukwuma Ezenagu said the coming into the South East by the company would boost the economy of the state through creation of jobs for young people and the provision of habitable accommodation.

Ezenagu said, “I welcome you all to the o΀cial unveiling of Esso Properties Limited as we make our Àrst inroad into the Real Estate industry in Eastern Nigeria; the commercial heart-beat of the Nation. Our gathering today is not just strategic but historic, coming at a critical time where the need for decent accommodation and sustainable housing has taken a centre stage in the global policy dialogue.

“Unlike other basic human needs (food and clothing) that aͿect mostly the poor, housing aͿects both the rich and the poor. The man in a particular slum area in Awka would be concerned about putting a roof over his head not minding the availability of other essential amenities. On the other hand, the rich man’s concern would be on obtaining a property that is aesthetically charming, In-touch with their social status, safe, hygienic, and devoid of future litigation regarding the land.

34

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 20,2021

AUTO WORLD

Bennett Oghifo 07052343083 Email:bennett.oghifo@thisdaylive.com

TIPS OF THE WEEK Find and Fix Any Engine Oil Leak Common Leak Locations Engine oil leaks are more of a syndrome than a disease. That is, leaks are an umbrella term for a wide range of mechanical issues.

The first step in fixing any leak is finding the source! Here are the most common locations to find an engine oil leak: Rear Main Seal The rear main seal is at the back of your engine and seals where the crankshaft exits the engine to attach to the flywheel.

This seal is notorious for leaking on vehicles that don’t get used often or don’t get regular oil changes. Learn more about rear main seal leaks.

Mercedes- Benz EQC 400 4MATIC

Mercedes-Benz EQC More Attractive, Has new Base Model, Sports Version

M

ercedes-Benz and the federal government are supporting the changeover to electric mobility in Germany: thanks to the list price of under €65,000 excl. VAT for the EQC, an environmental bonus of €5000 from the federal government and a €2500 subsidy from Mercedes-Benz are possible[3].

In this case the EQC 400 4MATIC costs €63,093.80 incl. VAT in Germany. If the government’s share of the environmental bonus is deducted, the effective price is €58,093.80.

For maximum flexibility, both model variants are also available by EQC subscription in various markets. In this case the regular rental contract is for 24 months, and it can be ended beforehand with a 3-month notice period.

AMG Line Exterior for the EQC 400 4MATIC AMG Line includes the AMG-specific Black Panel front grille in a twin-blade design with a surround in high-gloss

black, an AMG-specific front apron in a jet-wing design with air inlets featuring trim elements in chrome and inserts in high-gloss black plus visible and functional AIR CURTAINS, 48.3 cm (19-inch) aerodynamically optimised AMG 5-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels painted in tantalum grey with a high-sheen finish, a wider, AMG-specific rear apron with visible, non-functional air outlets and a diffuser insert in black with chrome trim, and exterior mirrors in the vehicle colour.

Features of AMG Line Interior: multifunction sports steering wheel in nappa leather with flattened bottom section and perforated grip area, sports seats with AMG-specific pattern layout and upholstery in ARTICO man-made leather/DINAMICA microfibre with medium grey topstitching, dashboard in nappa-look man-made leather, beltlines with light surface grain in black, topstitching in rosé gold or medium grey, door panels in black with black topstitching on the centre panel and medium grey topstitching on the armrest, carbon-fibre look trim in anthracite; AMG sports pedal cluster of brushed stainless steel with black

rubber studs, AMG floor mats and chrome door pins.

Other standard features of the EQC 400 4MATIC AMG Line: EASY-PACK luggage compartment cover, TIREFIT, Interior Light Package, Seat Comfort Package, Mirror Package, Active Parking Assist with PARKTRONIC, thermal and noise-insulating acoustic glass, Parking Package with reversing camera, Advanced sound system, ambient lighting, Remote and extended Charging Services Premium.

The EQC and Mercedes-EQ In summer 2019, with the EQC 400 4MATIC, Mercedes-Benz put the first vehicle of the Mercedes-Benz EQ brand on the road as the pioneer and milestone of the Ambition 2039 strategy. The EQC is a hallmark Mercedes-Benz in terms of quality, safety and comfort, impressing with outstanding noise comfort in the mid-size SUV segment. These attributes are accompanied by dynamic performance thanks to two electric motors at the front and rear axles with a combined output of 300 kW (408 hp).

Porsche Transfers Pure Racing Technology into new 911 GT3

T

he seventh edition of the highperformance Porsche 911 GT3 was developed in close collaboration with Porsche Motorsport. A statement by the automaker said it transfers pure racing technology into a production model: the double wishbone front axle layout and sophisticated aerodynamics with a swan neck rear wing and a striking diffuser originate from the successful GT race car 911 RSR. Tried and tested in endurance racing, the 510 PS (375 kW) four-litre six-cylinder boxer engine is based on the drivetrain of the 911 GT3 R. The acoustically impressive, high-revving engine is also used in the new 911 GT3 Cup. The result is a state-of-the-art sports car, perfect for the track and suitable for everyday use.

Featuring Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK), it is even faster than the previous 911 GT3 RS with a top speed of 318 km/h and accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds. Porsche also offers the new model with a six-speed manual transmission. The aerodynamics benefit from the brand’s vast motorsport experience and generate significantly more downforce without noticeably affecting the drag coefficient. In the Performance drive mode, the manually set wing and diffuser elements increase the aerodynamic pressure for high cornering speeds. During final testing, the new 911 GT3 lapped the Nuerburgring-Nordschleife, traditionally the ultimate proving ground for all sports cars developed by Porsche, over 17 seconds quicker than its predecessor. Development driver Lars Kern took just 6:59.927 minutes for a full 20.8-kilometre lap. The shorter 20.6-kilometre track was completed by the 911 GT3 in 6:55.2 minutes.

Despite a wider body, larger wheels and additional technical features, the weight of the

Porsche 911 GT3 race-style seat new GT3 is on a par with its predecessor. When equipped with a manual gearbox, the model weighs 1,418 kilograms, while the PDK version comes in at 1,435 kilograms. Lightweight components included are the front bonnet made of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP), lightweight glass windows, light-alloy wheels and a sports exhaust system which reduces the weight by no less than ten kilograms. The combined consumption of the 911 GT3 with PDK transmission is 12.4 litres/100 km.

Its racing genes are expressed in every detail of the new 911 GT3. The cockpit features a new track screen. It can reduce the digital displays to the left and right of the rev counter to essential

information needed for track driving, such as tyre and oil pressure, fuel level and water temperature.

It also includes a visual shift assistant with coloured bars to the left and right of the rev counter and a shift light derived from Motorsport.

To meet the growing demand for individualization options, Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur offers a wide range of customized equipment for the new 911 GT3.

Highlights include a lightweight roof made of exposed carbon fibre, exterior mirror tops made of carbon, darkened LED matrix main headlights and matching Exclusive design rear lights. Guards Red or Shark Blue painted wheel rims enhance the black alloy wheels.

Oil Pan Gasket Another common engine oil leak location is your oil pan gasket. This gasket is thin and long. The pan is made of thin metal that expands and contracts when operating. It’s usually a quick repair, but on some vehicles (such as those with transversely mounted V6 engines), there can be many components obstructing the oil pan. If you can’t easily get to your oil pan, consider using BlueDevil Oil Stop Leak to stop the leak by revitalizing the gasket!

Valve Cover Gasket Your valve cover or covers are very similar in construction to your oil pan and, typically, right on top of your engine. Replacing them is relatively easy. On some 6 cylinder engines, the intake manifold may cover one of the valve covers. In that case, use BlueDevil Oil Stop Leak to seal the leak!

Timing Cover Gasket Timing cover gasket leaks are considered a major leak. If your engine has a timing chain, the cover is at the front, shielding the timing components. The system is splash lubricated, so leaks from the timing cover gasket are often slow, but they can make a mess as they leak out around your engine’s drive belt and accessories. Replacing the timing cover gasket is always an expensive job, as you’ve got to remove lots of other pieces before you get to the timing cover.

Fix Your Leak Fast With Blue Devil Stop Leak The best way to fix a leak is to prevent it from happening. Make sure your engine parts are leak resistant and seal minor leaks with our universal answer to all of your engine-oil-leak needs with BlueDevil Oil Stop Leak. Our no leak solution is an industryleading product designed to give your engine the protection it needs and your car the mileage it deserves. Learn more about the product and where to purchase below!

(Source: BlueDevil Products)

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 20,2021

35

AUTO WORLD

Jaguar Land Rover to Reimagine Future of Modern Luxury

J

aguar Land Rover will reimagine the future of modern luxury by design through its two distinct, British brands.

Set against a canvas of true sustainability, Jaguar Land Rover will become a more agile creator of the world’s most desirable luxury vehicles and services for the most discerning of customers. A strategy that is designed to create a new benchmark in environmental, societal and community impact for a luxury business.

“Jaguar Land Rover is unique in the global automotive industry. Designers of peerless models, an unrivalled understanding of the future luxury needs of its customers, emotionally rich brand equity, a spirit of Britishness and unrivalled access to leading global players in technology and sustainability within the wider Tata Group.

“We are harnessing those ingredients today to reimagine the business, the two brands and the customer experience of tomorrow. The Reimagine strategy allows us to enhance and celebrate that uniqueness like never before.

Together, we can design an even more sustainable and positive impact on the world around us,” said Jaguar Land Rover Chief Executive Officer, Thierry Bolloré.

Two distinct modern luxury brands with sustainability at the centre At the heart of its Reimagine plan will be the electrification of both Land Rover and Jaguar brands on separate architectures with two clear, unique personalities.

In a Land Rover, vehicle and driver are united by adventure. By breaking new ground, confronting new challenges and not being content with the expected, Land Rover truly helps people to go ‘Above and Beyond’. In the next five years, Land Rover will welcome six pure electric variants as it continues to be the world leader of luxury SUVs through its three families of Range

Jaguar I-PACE interior Rover, Discovery and Defender. The first all-electric variant will arrive in 2024.

By the middle of the decade, Jaguar will have undergone a renaissance to emerge as a pure electric luxury brand with a dramatically beautiful new portfolio of emotionally engaging designs and pioneering next-generation technologies. Jaguar will exist to make life extraordinary by creating dramatically beautiful

automotive experiences that leave its customers feeling unique and rewarded. Although the nameplate may be retained, the planned Jaguar XJ replacement will not form part of the line-up, as the brand looks to realise its unique potential.

Jaguar and Land Rover will offer pure electric power, nameplate by nameplate, by 2030. By this time, in addition to 100 of Jaguar sales, it is anticipated that around

60 of Land Rovers sold will be equipped with zero tailpipe powertrains.

Jaguar Land Rover’s aim is to achieve net zero carbon emissions across its supply chain, products and operations by 2039. As part of this ambition, the company is also preparing for the expected adoption of clean fuel-cell power in line with a maturing of the hydrogen economy.

Firm Launches Platform for Auto Spare Parts A Àrm, 234 Parts Ltd., has introduced online platform, www.234parts.com for the automobile sector, to connect spare parts buyers and sellers, dealers, auto workshops and car owners.

According to the Managing Director 234 Parts Ltd., Mr. Godson Madu, “The website - www234parts. com boasts of over 370,000 car parts listings with 28,000 unique products from over 6,000 spare parts dealers across major spare part markets in Ladipo, Tin Can, Ojuelegba in Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna, Kano and Port- Harcourt.

Madu said, “www234 Parts.com inventory ranges from auto parts, lubricants, batteries, tools, wheels and tyres,” stating that the site is very easy to navigate and has been designed to make the process of buying quality replacement of parts easy and convenient by providing multiple spare parts options and price comparison to owners, while also enhancing the product visibility of the spare part dealers.”

Corroborating him, Mrs. Eniola Alli-Ayodele, Chief Marketing O΀cer added that “234parts.com is the leading online platform for the automobile spare parts sector has for almost two years, served as a connecting point for spare parts dealers, auto workshops and car owners.

“From our research, with the inÁux of foreign used cars in Nigeria; usually over Àve years old at the time of their arrival, there is now a signiÀcant increase in maintenance visits from 4 times to 12 times annually. It has been recorded that each of those visits involves a parts replacement purchase.

Consequently, the presence of substandard new spare parts increases as the manufacturers of these foreign used cars discontinue production of some of the car’s parts.

The need for genuine auto spare parts gave birth to 234Parts.com site,” she said.

According to Mrs. Eniola Alli- Ayodele, “the current focus of 234parts.com platform is to hold the largest inventory of both used and new automotive spare parts in Nigeria, and increase access to the platform by using its rich data and insights to organise the fragmented spare parts industry.”

In addition, “the business will in the coming months penetrate other major cities in the nation and onboard additional spare parts dealers after a rigorous veriÀcation process. This new development promises to create an opportunity for OEMs and genuine spare parts vendors to compete while also increasing the chances of car owners getting guaranteed parts,” she noted.

Auto mechanic workshop

Road Accidents Immune Delusion Syndrome Today, I wish to draw the curtains on my focus on RAIDS, an acronym for ROAD ACCIDENT IMMUNE DELUSION SYNDROME. These attitudes form what we describe as delusion among a handful of drivers which has been my focus since last week.

The crashes and deaths cited occurred because of what we call immunity delusion-“delusion is an idiosyncratic belief or impression maintained despite being contradicted by reality or rational argument, typically as a symptom of mental disorder”.

RAIDS therefore, refer to a delusional situation under which motorists operate as if immuned from road tra΀c crashes. This has remained a recurring trend over the years and no doubt, pose a major threat to the Federal Road Safety Corps renewed drive to change the narrative on road tra΀c crashes in Nigeria.

What this means is that the typical road user is unfazed by the numerous arguments put together by the Federal Road

SAFE DRIVING with

a stationary articulated vehicle.

The six occupants all died in that single crash. Although the airbag came on, yet the combined seat belt and airbag couldn’t save Jonas Agwu simple because certain safety amnipr, mcipr,mprsa,arpa rules such as speed and driving Assistant Corps Marshal under the inÁuence had been Zonal Commanding Officer broken.

These were compounded Federal Road Safety Corps. by the impact of the crash on the occupants Contrast these crashes and other road tra΀c crashes with any Safety Corps to tilt irresponsible driving. There are those who brag airline crash.

In the case of road crashes, about their faith in God Almighty. driver and passenger delusion This category will be quick to are prevalent. In air crashes, it reject death through road tra΀c is often about Pilot error just crash yet they will indulge in as we just learnt in the case of night travel despite the inherent the crash involving American risk involved. There is another professional basketball player, category whose boast is on the Kobe Bryant. Meanwhile, unlike kind of car they drive-American the airline crash victims which speck which multiple airbags for attract the whole world attention, their safety.

This category forgets that airbags drawing sympathy from experts on what may have triggered the and seatbelt are eͿective in a crash, Emeka’s death, like those crash situation where the necesof Lamide and Cynthia, has since sary safety rules were complied been swept underneath. Few with. I recall a case where some analysis. Few concerns, except young travelers after taking a from close friends and families. bottle too many, crashed onto

Daily, crashes resulting in deaths, injuries and disabilities rarely attract the kind of attention that air crashes do. When there is an air crash, airlines Pilots all get the sledge hammer when there are crashes.

Unfortunately, the reverse is the case when there is road crash. It is either swept underneath or the blame shifted to Government for its numerous failures. Nobody x-rays the spate of irresponsible driving which society has tacitly endorsed as cool. However, it must be stated that some of these deaths sometimes occur because of the absence of the necessary and appropriate response.

It is unacceptable to have so many men, women and children dying unnecessarily from road crashes in our country. It is even more dismaying, because we all know road tra΀c crashes are preventable and if they do happen, death is not inevitable.

According to the World Health Organization, road tra΀c injuries remain among the top ten causes of healthy years lost due to illhealth, disability or early death world-wide’’.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPA P PER ˾ FEBRUARY 20, 2021

TRIBUTE

Goodbye Omezimba My Dear Friend Annie Okonkwo

A

Omezimba

s I struggle gg to make sense of this sad news, I am at loss for words to relate the grief g in my y heart.

A thousand pages p g of tribute won’t be enough g to express p my y deepest p feelings g nor to describe the person that you p y were to me. The world around me seems still. The deafening g silence echoes in my y thoughts g as I think about y you, my y dearly y departed p friend. I clearly y remember the comfort that your y presence brought p g and the peace p that resonated from you whenever I was around y you.

Penning g down these few but sincere thoughts g of mine is the least I could do in honour of our friendship p and in reverence of the memories of all that we shared together g in this life. Omezimba, my y dear friend and brother, it beats my y imagination g to think that you y concealed your p y pain while y yet laying y g to rest the remains of my y beloved sister jjust a couple p of days y ago g in my y country y home.

Such selflessness and loyalty y yy yet y you carried the pains p of a mortal wound you y bore, Omezimba, y you were a brother in deed! Had I known about y your ailment or your y condition, your y sudden demise wouldn’t have hit me this hard but as the Bible says, y in all things give thanks to the Almighty. g y Omezimba Mba-ano, y you left me when I least expected it. Death they say y is a g grim Ripper. pp It sweeps p in unannounced to cut short the joy j y of living, but its sting is powerless to us who

know our God! Writing g this tribute is the last thing g I expected p to do, not now nor anytime y soon because it is not part p of the dreams we shared and our earnest expectation p of how to end our friendship in this world of mortals. We discussed and talked about so many y things g as the New Year set in but your y death was not part of it. Your death is a shocker and I p must be sincere about this, I am sorely grieved.

My y dear friend Ziggy, ggy nothing g material comes close to account for the beauty y you brought g to this life, y you were one of a kind and a very y special p p person. You were a caring g father, a loving g husband and wonderful friend. You have left an indelible mark in the lives of y your beloved Wife, y your Children, many y loved family y members, as well as friends. You literally touched and transformed a number of lives, lit up p many y spaces p y you walked into and was a caring g and g generous soul.

I am most grateful g for the relationship you found lately y y with y your Maker. You were a p pillar in the Church, a soldier of Christ and a Knight g of repute p in the Communion of Faithfuls. You cherished life in all its ramifications, and was a living g example p of a life well lived and expressed. p You have left a void but your y memories definitely y would be our comfort. Who can question q God? It is He who gives and He who takes. To Him alone be g the Glory. y Rest in the Lord’s bossom my y dear friend, till we meet again g where neither time nor death can separate us. Adieu Ziggy!!! ggy ––Senator Okonkwo writes from California, USA

Celebrating Osondu: The Good Man of Amesi Uzor Maxim Uzoatu

I

t was the classic celebration of life for a worthy y man.

Ichie ((Sir)) Cyprian yp Onyemeke y Osondu who p passed away y at the g grand age g of 92 was indeed a g great man of honour and dignity. g y Widely y revered as Ezeudoka of Amesi, Osondu was a q quintessential apostle p of p peace. Born in 1928 as the third son of the Osondu family y of Amesi town, Aguata g LGA, Anambra State, he passed p his Standard Six examination in flying y g colours in 1943 but when he went to g get a teaching g appointment pp in Adazi town the manager-in-charge g g thought g that he had come to seek for admission into the Infant Two class!

He had to make a detour to Urualla town in present-day p y Imo State to get g the teaching g job. j After his sterling g teaching, g he was selected to undergo g a four-year y course in the prestigious p g St. Charles College, g Onitsha. He miraculously yp passed the examination even as he was quarantined for contracting q ga contagious g disease. He then became a celebrated headmaster, spreading p g knowledge g across the then Eastern Region. g He passed p out in first class from the Diploma p Course at Rural Education Centre, Umudike Umuahia. Osondu g got married to the love of his life, Miss Helen Okolo, who was then the Headmistress of Akokwa Girls School.

The marriage g became blessed with three surviving g sons, namely, JJude, Emeka and Aquinas. q He got admission in 1963 to study g y Sociology gy and Anthropology p gy at the University y of Nigeria, g Nsukka.

Upon p g graduation in 1966, he was posted to the Ministry p y of Finance in Enugu. g When the Biafra War broke out, he received the assignment to

g to Calabar to cover the war. He go spent p two weeks in Calabar only y to learn that the town had fallen to the Nigerian g soldiers.

After the war, he served as an Assistant Division Officer (ADO). ( ) He rose to become a Divisional Officer ((DO). ) He undertook the onerous task of p pacifying y g the warring g communities of Aguleri g and Umuleri as the DO before he was transferred to the Enugu g Divisional Administration Department p (DAD). ( ) He worked at the Health Management g Board and eventually y retired from service at the State Education Commission, Enugu. g In this day y and age g when ill-assorted characters of dubious means and ends are grotesquely g q y celebrated, Ichie (Sir) ( Cyprian yp Onyemeke y Osondu (J (JP, KSM)) truly y represents p the good life worthy y of celebration.

A Fourth Degree g Knight g of the Catholic Church, his word was his bond. Let’s end with these words from the g great man: “Before my y first birthday, y I walked into a bowl containing g the hot juice j of bread fruit. I cried loudly y and my y mother who was in the room frantically y rushed to me and p pulled out the hand that was in the bowl, and not knowing g the serious nature of the burn handled my y hand and the skin peeled off. It was a serious burn p which could have destroyed y the hand and the fingers g especially p y during g the time it happened pp in 1929.

Everybody y y thought g that the hand was gone, g and my young life would follow the hand.

Luckily y by y the divine mercy y of God, the native treatment applied pp yielded good y g results and after a few months, the wound healed.

Surprisingly, p g y no finger g was lost but the burn left a large g scar at the centre part p which looks like a gold wristwatch.”

Osondu

37

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 20,2021

FAIRGROUND with

AZUKA OGUJIUBA

azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

Herbert & Hana: A Timely Emergence of Timeless Fashion

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he Nigerian fashion industry constantly evolves with new brands emerging. The launch of Herbert and Hana, versatile, unique and quality ready-to-wear outÀts has left industry professionals and fashion enthusiasts skimming through their website and physical stores for a piece of couture perfection.

Herbert Hana’s deliberate approach at studying the needs of the market and creating a brand that ensures impeccable delivery

of style and excellence gives them a seat at the table.

The creative team is committed to cater for not just the female populace but also urban men, with its diͿerent collections, Just Herbert

for men and Just Hana for women which promises luxury that it delivered in top-of-the-line fabrics, a variety of bold, intimate and show-stopping colours on form-Àtting or Áouncy patterns.

The high-end designs cut across casual and corporate styles that do not compromise the brand’s quest for class.

Cuppy Astounds in ‘The Cuppy Foundation Gold Dust’ The Cuppy Foundation recently held its much anticipated virtual conference tagged ‘Cuppy Gold Dust’ live on YouTube. It was hosted by founder, Nigerian born DJ, artiste and producer, Florence Ifeoluwa Otedola, better known as DJ Cuppy. The conference was a follow up to the Gold Gala held in 2019 and detailed the activities of the Cuppy Foundation in the past year with the funds raised.

It featured keynote addresses and panel discussions by members of the foundation’s key partner, Save The Children. Mr. Kevin Watkins, CEO of Save The Children UK and members of other notable charity organizations in Nigeria gave Àrsthand accounts of how much they have been able to achieve in the past year with help from The Cuppy Foundation.

A panel discussion between Save The Children International staͿ, Dr. Nura Tukur, Dr. Adaeze Oramalu Save The Children Nigeria youth ambassador, Maryam Ahmed was enlightening, covering topics on how COVID-19 has aͿected the lives of children, what more the government can do to minimize the eͿects and the real heroes and heroines.

Since 2019, over 9000 unique persons have been reached via various programmes supported by the Cuppy Foundation. Some of the ways in which impact has been made include sponsoring

DJ Cuppy

several individuals with physical disabilities through higher institutions, treatment of children suͿering from acute malnutrition, education for young mothers on how to cater better for their children, refurbishment of several health facilities and supplies of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) materials for COVID-19.

Shannon Ward, Director - Programme Development and Quality at Save the Children Nigeria, said: Save the Children appreciates the kind of partnership we have with Cuppy Foundation and Cuppy that will enable us to ensure the progresses we have achieved in child rights are not reversed but maintained and strengthened in the years to come.

After very enlightening panel discussions, Cuppy closed the show with a standout performance of some of her biggest hits and fans favorites like Gelato, Green Light, Litty Lit and Jollof on the Jet. The Cuppy foundation renewed its commitment to achieving her goal of tackling issues surrounding child protection, education for girls and persons with disabilities. Other charity organizations currently being supported by The Cuppy Foundation include; Angel for life foundation, The KaͿy Foundation and The Kupe Foundation.

Herbert & Hana

Dice Ailes Returns with Visuals for ‘Money Dance’ Nigerian music sensation, Dice Ailes has unlocked the scintillating visuals to his newly released groovy tune, “Money Dance”. He upped his career ante this year with the ofÀcial launch of TMM Entertainment, his label imprint and partnerships with Sony Music Entertainment West Africa and Black Butter Records UK. The Àrst fruit of this alliance is “Money Dance,” a groovy musical highlighting his genre-bending and multi-versed ability at creating bangers with a vibe.

Since release, the “Money Dance” single has enjoyed an impressive reception around and about. The single debuted on the Apple Music Top 100 charts and was featured on the Africa Now Radio Top 5 Songs.

The single also sits on some of the biggest and most popular music playlists across DSPs and continues to garner love from community, national and urban radios across continents.

With the premiere of the music video, fans get to experience Dice Ailes in his creative directing prowess on the dramatic Áick which was Àlmed on locations in Lagos and Toronto.

The cinematic visual, also a collaborative eͿort of Ibidunni Oladayo (Nigeria) and Eniola

Yussuf (Canada) will seek to further catalyse the actual money dance in a viral challenge series that is progressively taking up the social media space. Dice Ailes has now conÀrmed.

“Money Dance” as the single ushering in his much- anticipated debut album due in stores worldwide by summertime.

Dice Ailes

38

PERSPECTIVE

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ FEBRUARY 20, 2021

Zamfara: Between Matawalle and the Naysayers Abdukadir Sulaiman

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Matawalle

overnor Bello Muhammed Matawalle of Zamfara State has been a subject of sustained media onslaught which reveals mischief and malicious intent.

The reckless accusation by Yekini Nabena(Publicity Secretary of the APC) that a PDP governor of a North Western State is responsible and sponsoring insecurity in the region is obviously the first of the many orchestrated attacks on Governor Matawalle. Then came another attack through a publication by Sahara Reporters that an unnamed General claimed “bandits were carrying out their attacks with hilux vehicles given to them by the Governor of Zamfara State.

This was soon followed by another round of accusations by the Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and a Senator from the state, Senator Uba Sani when they both laconically blamed the approach of Governor Matawalle for the sustenance of banditry in North West Zone. It is curious that this is coming from a Nasir El-Rufai in 2016 who claimed he went after Fulani Herdsmen to stop killings in Southern Kaduna. Please do note it was to persuade people from aborting a criminal activity and not prevent it. It is a laughable how such a man and his supporter(s) do not see him morally bankrupt to criticise anyone adopting similar approach.

It is also hypocritical for these two persons to criticise Governor Bello Matawalle and not criticise President Muhammadu Buhari for his “Operation Safe Corridor” which is the purported deradicalization programs for Boko Haram fighters. The same set of people APC Chieftains are clamouring for scholarship and foreign education while children of fallen soldiers in the

ongoin wars on insurgency are not granted scholarship to study at Army Day Children School.

The recent attack was the deliberate misinformation by a former State House Correspondent who did not quote the Governor out of context, but lied against the Governor in a report which is now widely syndicated that he(Matawalle) said “Not all bandits are criminals”. It is on record that what Governor Matawalle said while addressing a group of correspondents was “not all fulanis are criminals” and this is sensible enough in the face of the mass profiling of all northerners as Fulanis and all fulanis as killer herdsmen. Records has it that Nasir Ayitogo is no more at the State House and this account must be a figment of his warped imagination.

It is pertinent to note that there is an obvious hunt for Governor Bello Muhammed Matawalle in a bid to discredit him and create a bad perception about him among Nigerians.

I urge Nigerians to disregard this campaign of calumny which is the handiwork of the former Governor Abdulaziz Yari who is doing everything he can to destabilise the current administration especially in its quest to expose the monumental graft allegedly perpetuated under his watch.

This is nothing but a desperate attempt from the camp of Abdulaziz Yari to divert attention from him.

This has further corroborated the assertion that the sponsors of this mischief and wickedness are those who are yet to come to the reality that Zamfara is no longer at their whims and caprices.

Zamfara is on the path into a new dawn and no amount of hatchet job can derail this noble course.

God Bless Nigeria –––Abdukadir Sulaiman, a staff of Public Enlightenment and Media Communications of Zamfara state government sent this piece from Gusau

COVID-19: The Virus, MultiChoice and Everything in Between Lucas Boluwaji

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here is little or no chance that we can find a service subscriber, who does not have one issue or the other with the service provider. Telephone, pay television and internet service providers, to give just three examples, almost always are in our gunsights for a variety of reasons: Spotty service, tariffs presumed to be too high, slow speed and lousy customer service are my main peeves. You can add yours.

These often leave me close to tearing my hair out. I do not get to do it because my hair is never of the volume to grab let alone tear out. But I believe I have communicated the frustration I feel when I do not get the service I expect from a provider. Before I veer off irredeemably, the subject of this piece is my pay television service of the provider of choice, MultiChoice Nigeria, without a doubt, the dominant one in the market.

As a subscriber on MultiChoice’s DStv platform, I have had occasions on which I was red-eyed with rage when I sniff a degeneration in the quality of service.

Notably, I got into this mood in the days I was reluctant to use the provider ’s self-service options and chose to stay on the phone, hoping to reach a customer service agent to provide a solution to whatever technical issues I was experiencing. Back then and 90 per cent of the time, it had to do with reconnection after subscription renewal. That is in the past. I have since found their Twitter handle a speedier platform for issues resolution. Half of the other 10 per cent arose from my unfamiliarity with the pay television architecture, a state of affairs that made me believe that pay television service is metered like telephone service and for which a pay-as-you-go model, rather than a fixed monthly subscription model, should be applicable.

I doubt if anyone can claim not to have believedat one time or the other-what I did. And it was not long ago that I got cured of my ignorance, credit for which should go to Dr. Babatunde Irukera, CEO of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC). It was him who explained, in an interview with Channels TV last year, that he has been around the world and did not find one place where the pay-as-you-go model

is used.

He explained that television content is not metered like telephone service. He should know a thing or two about that ecosystem, I believe.

That said, MultiChoice’s service is not perfect and despite the fact that I have seen that pay television services are pricier around the world -contrary to the oft-repeated claim-than in Nigeria, a part of me still says we should be paying lower rates. Everybody loves a bargain!

I hope that is possible someday soon. But in the meantime, despite my issue (s) with MultiChoice, I have been mightily impressed by the company’s sensitivity to its customers’ the situation since the outbreak of COVID-19, which has ripped through everybody’s, including MultiChoice’s, finances in the last one year. A few weeks ago, for example, the company announced huge discounts on its DStv and GOtv decoders as part of its efforts to lessen the economic impact of COVID-19 on Nigerians and widen the access to entertainment available on the two platforms. The discounts took the form of lowering the entry point to the Confam bouquet on DStv and Jolli bouquet on GOtv, meaning that customers are required to pay N9900 for a decoder plus a free one-month DStv Confam subscription which was previously N18,900 or N6900 plus a free one-month GOtv Jolli subscription which was N8,400 I would happily take one of the two offers if I was not yet a subscriber. Those generous discounts were preceded by similar shows of sensitivity, which came in the shape of a campaign tagged “We’ve Got You”. The campaign, which ran from 20 April to 30 June 2020, offered active and disconnected DStv and GOtv customers the opportunity to get upgraded to the next viewing package when they renewed subscription on the packages they were on.

In similar vein, customers were granted access to Free-to-Air news, kiddies and sporting channels. To cater to customers’ spiritual needs, the Hallelujah pop-up channel was launched to provide a church-at-home experience for subscribers during the closure of worship places, with the African Easter pop-up channel, in partnership with TBN Africa, becoming available during the month of Easter on both DStv and GOtv platforms.

For Muslim faithfuls, Sunna TV was launched on both platforms to provide wholesome Islamic

content beginning from the holy month of Ramadan.

To lessen the gloom imposed by the lockdown, subscribers on both platforms were also offered access to the hugely popular party-themed Turnup Friday and Owambe Saturday as well as COVID-19 Hope for Africa Concert, in partnership with One Africa Global Foundation.

Alongside these relief initiatives to the consumer, ran others for the general public. At the the onset of the pandemic last year, with the government shopping for money to finance the pandemic response efforts, MultiChoice was one of the major supporters from the corporate sector, making cash donations of N200 million and N50 million to Federal and Lagos State governments respectively.

It similarly assisted with public education on the pandemic, carrying Educational Public Service Announcements (PSAs) in partnerships with the UN and the U.S Embassy. Another N400m was committed to safeguarding income of cast and crew of its various productions.

It is instructive to note that this was at a time that productions were at an all-time low. It’s efforts at contributing to Nigeria’s war against the virus also saw the company highlighting the helplines of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on more than 10 channels across the DStv and GOtv channels, the cost of which was estimated at over N550 million.

Reputedly the country’s major investor in TV and film, a sector pulverised by COVID-19’s disruption of productions and its army of professionals facing a bleak future, MultiChoice committed up to N400 million to ensure that professionals impacted, were paid during the lockdown when they could not work.

Equally tangible support by the company came in the form of donation of 60, 000 units of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to hospitals and NonGovernmental Organisations, 10,0000 face masks to dealers and other components of its value chain as well as a staff care initiative that saw it provide PPEs, sanitizers and multivitamins to employees.

Such substantial contributions are important, and it is necessary that every organization takes a cue from MultiChoice’s commendable efforts.

–––Boluwaji, a public affairs analyst, writes from Lagos.

39

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺ͸ , 2021

SPORTS XTRA

Iwobi Anticipates Intense Mersyside Derby, Attributes Versatility to Arsenal System Super Eagles and Everton midfilder, Alex Iwobi said he’s looking forward to an intense Merseyside derby against Liverpool despite fans’ absence at Anfield today.

As part of regulations to contain the spread of corona-

virus in England, fans have been restricted from entering football stadiums since last year, with a few exceptions, and the Nigeria star disclosed how the Merseyside rivalry is anticipated in the city of Liverpool, in that context.

Iwobi said the atmosphere at Anfield is similar to having fans present and it can help Carlo Ancelotti’s side, who are looking to end their threegame winless run in the Premier League.

Iwobi told BBC Sport Africa:

“With the wayAnfield is set up, it is almost like the fans are on the pitch so it may be a little bit of advantage for us but like I said, it is the Merseyside derby and both teams are going to be up for the game.

“I have not been able to go

into town because of the coronavirus but I have seen red and blue cars I know what is what. Like when I go towards the stadium for games, I see red flags on houses, cars.”

Earlier this campaign, Iwobi was drafted to theright-backposition due to an injury crisis at Carlo Ancelotti’steam.

Iwobihasrevealedthathelearnt howtoplayinmultiplepositionsduringhistimewithArsenal,wherehe spent15yearsbefore switching to Everton in the summer of 2019.

The Nigeria international has shown his versatility under Ancelotti, impressing in a left andrightandleftwing-back roles and is comfortable playing as an attacking midfielder, support striker and winger on both flanks.

Iwobi is five games away from reaching a milestone of 150 appearances in the English Premier League ahead of Everton’s derby clash against Liverpool at Anfield today.

“Growing up in the Arsenal system,Iplayednumerouspositions. So for me to play right wing-back, I wasn’t really lost as people would’ve thought I would be,” Iwobi said to BBC Sports.

“Itwasn’treallydifficultforme toadjust.WiththemanagerCarlo Ancelotti,I’veimprovedabitmore with my final third, end product.

“If I do beat a man, then I’m able to create a chance for my team-mates.That’swhathewants me to do a bit more.” In his eight previous appearances against Liverpool, Iwobi has provided fourassistsbutisyettotastevictory with four draws and four losses.

In his eight previous appearances against Liverpool, Iwobi has provided four assists but is yet to taste victory with four draws and four losses.

Iwobi has featured in 20 Premier League matches this term and he has two assists and a goal for the Toffees, who sit seventh on the league table.

Man City Distance Selves from Messi’s Move D’Tigers out-dunked South Sudan to continue their dominance at the 2021 Afrobasket qualifiers

D’Tigers Beat Mali to Go Top of 2021 Afrobasket Qualifiers D’Tigers rounded off its 2021 FIBA Afrobasket championship qualifiers with a big 76-56 points win over Mali who struggled to cope with the offensive firepower of the team.

The win which saw the team finishing strong atop group B on a 6-0 run was spearheaded by Nigerian basketball legend, Ike Diogu who posted a double-double performance with 20pts and 11 assists.

With a 42.9 field goal percentage and three made treys from seven attempted shots, Diogu ensured a smooth victory for the team whose immediate focus will be the 2020 Olympics and Afrobasket preparations.

After back to back struggles against South Sudan and Rwanda, basketball fans across the continent saw a different team who extended its unbeaten run in competitive games to nine.

The team mindful of the task ahead came out smoking with Ike Iroegbu and Mike Gbinije leading the offensive in the opening minutes as they raced to a 24-7 lead.

Michael Gbinije ended with 10pts, five rebounds and two steals as Keith Omoerah continued his rich form in the national colors with 10pts, 4rebs and 3steals on a day that all 10 players who stepped on court scored at least a point.

The number one team in Africa were way better as they out rebounded their opponents 48-39, scoring 15pts from turnovers as against 14 by the Malians.

The team scored 16 fast break points, Mali only managed 7 while the Tokyo 2020 Olympics bound team sank 18 second chance points to cap off an impressive win.

Nigeria topped group B with 12 maximum points. New entrants, South Sudan finished second, Mali third and the host of the 2021 Afrobasket- Rwanda finished bottom of the group.

The players are expected to return to their various clubs today.

Balogun Impresses at Right Back in Europa League for Rangers Super Eagles center back Leon Balogun impressed in a right-back role as Rangers won in a seven -goal thriller in the Europa League round of 32 clash against Royal Antwerp at Bosuilstadion on Thursday night.

With 24 minutes played, the Nigeria international came off the bench to replace Rangers skipper James Tavernier, who was not able to continue due to an injury.

The right-back position is not entirely new to Balogun as he has played in that role for the national team, Mainz and Brighton & Hove.

In fact, he made his debut for the

Super Eagles as a right-back when he replaced Efe Ambrose in the second half of a pre-World Cup friendly against Mexico in March 2014.

“I was back to an old role and I was happy I can still play it,” Balogun said at yesterday’s press conference.

“I think the last time I started at rightback was against Sheffield Wednesday with Brighton. But in terms of highprofile games it was probably against Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga.”

The right-back role is a very demanding position and Balogun reckons that it will be difficult to step into the shoes of Tavernier, who is doubtful for Sunday’s

league match against Dundee United.

“I can’t replace Tavernier. He’s a beast.

We’re different types of players and I’m a centre half. I’ll try to match as best as possible and put my style into it. It wasn’t easy but I don’t want to sell the side short when it comes to attacking.

“I try to fill in the best I can but you can’t replace an attacking fullback like Tav. His high intensity running is something I’m not used to – maybe at one point I was.

I might need to get used to it as well but Tav would run up and down that line for 180 minutes if needed,” Balogun added.

Leicester Coach Condemns Ndidi, Iheanacho’s Yellow Cards Leicester City coach Brendan Rodgers has insisted that Super Eagles duo Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho were unfairly booked during his side’s goalless draw with Peter Olayinka’s Slavia Prague in a Europa League round of 32 tie on Thursday evening.

While Ndidi was shown a yellow card for a foul in the 46th minute, Iheanacho was cautioned shortly after coming off the bench in the 64th minute.

The Foxes number 14 has now collected three yellow cards, against Sporting Braga, Zorya Lugansk and Slavia Prague, and is suspended for the return leg at the King Power Stadium next week.

Rodgers criticized the match officials for their performance, adding that Iheanacho and Ndidi did not deserve to be booked for their actions.

“I thought the officials were really poor, I’ve got to say. I don’t comment so much on them because I know it’s

a very difficult job,” Rodgers told reportes.

“But some of the decisions... I think we had Wilf booked and Kelechi for the use of the elbow and it was clear it wasn’t. They were challenging for the ball, especially Wilf”.

Up next Leicester City travel to Aston Villa for a Premier League game before Slavia visit the East Midlands for the return leg of the Europa League.

Manchester City are distancing themselves from links with a move for Barcelona forward Lionel Messi.

The Argentina forward is out of contract in the summer.

The likelihood of another Champions League exit for Barcelona has fuelled speculation he is could quit the Nou Camp.

Uncertainty remains due to the ongoing presidential elections at Barca, with all candidates saying they are determined to keep the 33-year-old. Messi has won six Ballon D’Or trophies in a stellar career that has seen him generally accepted as one of the finest players ever. City have long been touted as an alternative, partly due to the link with former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola, although Paris St-Germain are also thought to be interested.

It has been reported City have tabled a revised offer for Messi but BBC Sport has been told by a club source this is not true - and that no offers have been made, either in the summer, or since and there are currently no talks.

Messi had looked set to join City after putting in a transfer request in August, only for Barcelona’s then-president Josep Maria Bartomeu to block the move before resigning in October.

Ameobi’s Strike Nominated for Championship Goal of the Month Former Nigeria U20 international Sammy Ameobi has been shortlisted for the Sky Bet ChampionshipGoaloftheMonthfor January.

The Nottingham Forest star’s goal has been nominated for the monthlyaccoladealongsideeffortsfromSwanseaCity’sMattGrimes (vs Rotherham United) and Reading’s John Swift (vs Coventry City).After 16 league games without a goal, the Newcastle United academy product notched a brace to help Forest secure a 3-1 win against MillwallonJanuary16andhissecondgoalinthatgamehasbeen nominated.

With20minuteslefttoplay,AmeobiexchangedpasseswithAlexMighten ontheedgeoftheboxandcurledasparkling effort into the far corner after a fine counterattacking move.

Voting is open as of midday yesterday, and the winner of the Sky Bet EFL Championship Goal of the Month is chosen by a fan poll on the official Sky Bet Championship Twitter Account As at the time of filing this report, Ameobi was leading the poll with 44.7 percent of the votes followed by John Swift (28.4%) and Grimes (26.9%).

Arteta Rates Man City Best Team in Europe

Ahead of Manchester City’s visit to the Emirate tomorrow, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta believes the Premier League leaders are the best team in Europe.

City took their lead to 10 points with a midweek win over Everton, face Spurs in the Carabao Cup final and remain in FA Cup and Champions League contention.

Arteta’s team host City on Sunday and the Spaniard described the task as a “big but very exciting challenge”.

“The football they are playing and consistency of results, take all that in and it makes them the best team.”

City have lost only twice in their opening 24 matches during the current campaign - to Leicester in September and Tottenham in November. Pep Guardiola’s team have conceded only 15 goals andArteta said: “They have weaknesses like every team but at the moment teams have struggled a lot to find any of that because I think first of all defensively they have been really, really strong.

Saturday, February 20, 2021

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Akeredolu to Herders “We are banning open grazing. If I see a cow I will arrest it.

They can’t move in Akure town. We wouldn’t allow it. It is not going to happen. We must put an end to it” – Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State warning herders against open grazing.

PENDULUM DELE MOMODU

dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com

Trust Me, Something Fishy is Going On

F

ellow Nigerians let me start by saying that I hate conspiracy theories generally.

The reason is simple. They are like superstitions. They are not capable of any logical, rational, scientific analysis or basis yet people have wholesale beliefs in them.

They consider them to be true, even though they know they are stranger than fiction. It is almost impossible not to engage in all manner of guesswork, speculation and conjecture in Nigeria. The rumour-mill is one of the most vibrant, and sometimes lucrative, pastimes in our clime. Indeed, rumour mongering is a national pastime at which Nigerians excel and shine in all their glory. Nigeria is a country where all tales are believable, no matter how improbable!

Please, forgive me because I’m about to indulge in some high-level conspiracy theories myself.

These particular theories have risen above the realm of mere conjecture to attain the level of first faction and then reality, because of the many times they have been avowed and disavowed and the blurring of falsehood, fake news and truth that has thus been occasioned. By the time I’m done, I’m sure you will understand my predicament and appreciate my acute frustration.

Just as much as the allegations of massive corruption levelled against the Jonathan government, the other major reason he was sacked as President was the spate of rising insecurity, insurgency and banditry in most parts of the country. The abduction of the young and innocent Chibok girls from their secondary school and the way they literally vamoosed from the surface of the earth was like the last straw that broke the camel’s back and it obviously helped to quicken the downfall of that government at the polls. It was impossible not to view the government as irredeemably clueless from that moment onwards. The hype and media frenzy generated by the incident, and the blame and guilt laid at the doorstep of the forlorn, gormless and doomed government, was so huge that it soon became a global fad, with national and international celebrities and human rights activists falling over themselves to show solidarity for the plight of the girls and their helpless and hapless families.

Today, I’m now reasonably convinced that the entire melodrama was meticulously planned and masterfully executed in order for some people to paint President Goodluck Jonathan as pathetically incompetent, and the reason his government must be sacked urgently. I confess to believing the full narrative at the time, like most Nigerians, hence my almost fanatical support for Major General Muhammadu Buhari, in that sad period of our nascent democracy. I wish to express my sincere apologies once again for believing that tale by moonlight and for being amongst those who plunged Nigeria into this unmitigated disaster from which we may not fully recover in decades to come unless God decides to deliver us miraculously.

In 2015, when President Buhari assumed power, the insecurity was largely limited to the North East, around Borno/Adamawa axis.

Of course, there were kidnappings, militancy and oil theft in the South South and South East, but these were not as bad as what was unfolding in the North East. If, at that time we thought that there was insecurity, it has certainly become child’s play when compared to what obtains today. Those who stoked and fanned the embers of insecurity in the North East for their nefarious political ends now realise that they have bitten more than they can chew. There is an Australian boomerang effect, and the plot and gambit has turned full circle. We are now

Sheikh Gumi

in the situation where people are running with the hare and hunting with the hounds in order to curry the favour of the Government which seems to be shielding the bandits, insurgents and terrorists and things are simply just falling apart. It is now so bad that nobody can tell the difference as to who is chasing who, because these bandits and terrorists seem far better organised, disciplined and equipped than the Nigerian military.

As I write this, terrorists, insurgents and bandits have encircled Nigeria. While Boko Haram continues to wreak havoc with mathematical precision, in its traditional domains of the North East, other terrorists, warlords and janjaweeds have emerged in the Northwest and there are bandits in nearly every zone.

They operate with so much confidence and gusto. They dare the authorities to come after them knowing, each time that there is a clash, it is the Nigerian military that is worse off with its nose proverbially bloodied!

The latest chapter of this macabre theatre, and most sordid period of our history, is that, under the nose and eyes of President Buhari, Boko Haram, has been elevated to the level of the Ijaw militants who were fighting to avenge the despoliation of their environment by the oil corporations. At least we knew what they were fighting for, just as we know what IPBO is fighting for even if we still have some flicker of hope in Nigeria. The difference with Boko Haram is that no one has explained their grievances to us. Rather, we are told and forced to treat them with the same awe and trepidation we accorded the Niger Delta militants without anyone detailing what Nigerians owed them in reality and imagination. The cheeky suggestion that the fight is against western education is absolute hogwash, and it just won’t wash!

This dangerous development of political machination and manipulation has been festering and engendered slowly, but surely and steadily, by using all manner of subterfuge to catch most of us unaware. Lately it has taken on frightening proportions whilst still being painted as if they are minor inconsequential skirmishes with an economic bias that we need not pay much heed to. Thus, in Zamfara, we were told it was a war for gold rush. In North Central, around Benue in particular, we were told it was a clash between farmers and Herdsmen. Many lives were wasted while the criminals easily bolted away, like artful dodgers. The Federal

Government showed little or no empathy.

Seeing the share number of the dead made my intestines spin around and I was dazed and dizzy as if in a tizzy.

In the meantime, we all buried our heads in the sand, telling ourselves, all of this was confined to the North and they dared not bring their wahala down south. We should have known better! Give anybody an inch and they will take a mile. Give this lot a little and they want all, because they know that they have the full and wholehearted support of the Presidency, in whose hands they are well protected.

Very soon though, from the Middlebelt, the insecurity navigated its way Southwards. If we thought it was a joke initially, the bandits left no one in doubt of their determination to show how ready they were to spread their campaign of hate and terror to every part of Nigeria. As terrible as the situation was, our President appeared unruffled and unfazed. Even when it became apparent that our security forces were failing spectacularly and falling catastrophically in the battlefield as if they were being struck down by daemons President Buhari still did not bat an eyelid.

Truth be told, our military had fallen on bad times, and there was nobody at the helm, no Commander-in-Chief to give a rallying cry to the troops and be their focal point. Simply put the leadership had gone AWOL too! Despite the hues and cries of generality of Nigerians, the President blatantly refused to retire or sack his service chiefs, who had not only outlasted their tenures, but they had also outlived their usefulness. We wondered what the unholy pact was between them that made it impossible for the Commander-in-Chief to whip them into shape and line. That there is some kind of unholy covenant, a secret concordat between the Presidency and the erstwhile service chiefs is given fillip by the aberrant decision to give them a golden handshake by offering them ambassadorial postings as compensation for incredible failure.

As days climbed over months and months climbed over years, the situation deteriorated.

And all we got for the unabated sorrows was the automated condolence message and futile promises that government was trying hard to fix the problems. But nothing was fixed. As we stand today, virtually all major tribes in Nigeria, minus, maybe, the Hausa/Fulani, are clamouring for self-determination, self-governance and, in extreme cases, their own stand-alone nations. The Igbo people of South East Nigeria are mostly united in their quest for a Biafra country, including those who do not share the same ideology with Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

You can’t blame them. President Buhari has shown them no mercy. At every opportunity, he sends his security forces with clear mandate and directive to crush any act of perceived, purported rebellion. Bizarre animalistic and reptilian names were given to the various military exercises that the armed forces used in terrorising and subjugating the people of this region. A true parody of the inhumane maltreatment of the people of the region. This would probably have been accepted, tolerated and endured if the attitude were the same elsewhere.

In the last few weeks, and as recent as two days ago, the Muslim cleric, Sheikh Gumi, has been seen strolling in and out of the forests where the bandits are comfortably ensconced, without any fear of attack or antagonism. In fact, the visits are now televised, and many are wondering what’s going on! In this same

country, those who have not carried machine guns, Kalashnikovs and other weapons of mass destruction have been promptly declared persona non grata and dangerous criminals and terrorists by the Inspector General of Police and the Governor of the Central Bank, whose business it has now become to police the bank accounts of innocent protesters. Just imagine for a second a Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye entering a forest to negotiate with terrorists and the uproar it would generate worldwide.

So, some powerful, untouchable, inviolable Nigerians actually know the location of the terrorists. And the security forces also know the forests they reside in. I’ve been wondering what happened to our Air Force. Meaning, it is not that our own hawks can no longer capture chickens but some powerful people in government are not allowing them swing into action. It is well!

Can Sheikh Gumi do us a big favour please?

Sir help us find out what would appease the bandits and terrorists so that we can get the sacrifice ready for the gods with feet of clay.

Terrorism has become a competition here apparently. Many personalities now liken them to the Niger Delta militants. And since we set up an Amnesty Commission for them, let’s humbly do the same now and do so with immediate alacrity. Hopefully, this would calm the insurgents and terrorists down and protect the defenceless school kids who are being subjected to constant and incessant harassment by these hoodlums and bandits clothed in the false garb of devoted and devout jihadists, but who know nothing about the mission they profess to be carrying out.

As for the herdsmen, I don’t know if another Amnesty can be graciously arranged for them.

And let them be banished to their Northern Nigeria where many are already accustomed to the itinerant tradition and custom. Too many problems have been generated by them while traveling long distances in the forests. The time has come to put a permanent stop to this archaic system of cattle rearing. I commend Governor Nasir El Rufai for embracing modern methods of cattle rearing. The budget for these herdsmen won’t be too different from the fertilizer bazaar, import duty waiver and oil subsidy bonanza that some influential Nigerians used to enjoy in the past. We can call it “herdsmen subsidy” for want of a better expression. In moments of dangerous madness, human lives must be protected with everything at our disposal. I suppose the Presidency will be extremely happy to extend the principle of federal character and proportionate distribution of the nation’s resources to assuage the feelings of these ill-judged innocent kinsmen of Mr President.

It is obvious to me that our security forces are not hopelessly lazy. They are only hampered, hindered and handicapped by circumstances beyond their control, but within the control of powerful others within the corridors of power.

My conspiracy theory is that some powerful people see the bandits as their own kindred spirit and would rather protect them than have them maligned, traduced and destroyed for the vermin that they represent to those whom they pillage, rape, destroy, maim and kill. The body language is unarguably easy to decipher.

Let’s stop pretending not to know how to smell the fish. This cesspit smells and stinks to high heavens.

Nigeria is in bigger trouble than we are willing to admit. Who will bell the cat? After all, for whom does the bell toll? It tolls for us all, at some time or the other!

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